Fans of the American Football Quarterback Aaron Rodgers were treated to a surprise on 17th December 2024 with Aaron Rodgers: Enigma. Enigma is a docu-series on Netflix following the NFL football star's journey of overcoming an injury in his left ankle.
The docuseries films Rodgers looking back on some of the defining moments and contentious chapters of his life and career. The series also gives some insight into the strained relationship he shares with his family as it has been a curious topic among his fans.
In 2016, Aaron Rodgers' brother Jordan Rodgers claimed on The Bachelorette that the footballer was estranged from his family. However, when Aaron was asked, in the docuseries, if there was hope for reconciliation, he replied in the affirmative.
Rodgers has previously spoken about how his issues with his family are "deep-rooted". He also spoke about the strained relationship, they share in the docuseries emphasizing the lack of space he had to express emotions while growing up, he said in part,
"I think I saw my dad cry when my grandfather passed. And that might have been it. There wasn’t space for emotion. So, I definitely had some stunted emotional intelligence to communicate those emotions, for sure,”
He added,
People who haven’t been around me a lot have this idea of who I am or whatnot, and in these situations, you start to peel back some of those layers of who they think you are and start getting deep and getting emotional,
The Rodgers Family estrangement, insights from Aaron Rodgers: Enigma Explored
There are five members (including Aaron) in the Rodgers family: Aaron's father Edward Wesley Rodgers, his mother Darla Leigh Pittman Rodgers, and his brothers Luke Rodgers, and Jordan Rodgers. While the strained relationship may look like a recent issue after Aaron Rodgers' rise to fame, that's not the case. Aaron revealed to the Aaron Rodgers: Enigma team that he always had some issues with the family. He said:
“There was a lot of times when I became real famous, I heard from a lot of people, including family members, who was like, ‘Your life is too big. We need you to be smaller. Be smaller. Like, ‘Don’t talk about your life.’ And it’s always hurt me because I just feel like you don’t see me. This is not something I ever desired or wanted, other than playing on Sundays.”
When probed further about the family, he added:
“I grew up in a very white, dogmatic church and that just really didn’t serve me. It was very rigid in structure; I’m not a rigid person.”
Some speculators have also suggested Aaron Rodgers' preference for an alternative lifestyle and disassociation with any type of organized religion played a role. However, when asked about the possibility of reconciliation, Rodgers replied that he is hoping for one and that he doesn't wish bad upon his family.
What is Aaron Rodgers: Enigma about?
Aaron Rodgers: Enigma is a Netflix docuseries that offers a peek into this Football legend's life and career. The three-episode series follows Rodgers in his recovery journey after an injury in 2023. The three episodes are titled:
- Becoming: "After an Achilles injury derails his 2023 debut with the Jets, Aaron Rodgers commits to a speedy recovery while reflecting on his rocky path to the NFL."
- Awakening: "Conflicted about his fame, Rodgers begins a self-realization journey, experimenting with alternative medicine and religion — and igniting controversy."
- Reckoning: "Rodgers draws criticism with his stance on vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid murmurs about his age, he learns the Packers are shopping him."
Why is Aaron Rodgers: Enigma dedicated to him?
41-year-old Aaron Rodgers is an American football player who initially served the Green Bay Packers and currently serves as a Quarterback in the NFL for the New York Jets. Considered one of the most talented and best quarterbacks, Rodgers is also infamous for his controversial opinions such as supporting alternative medical treatments, COVID-19, and several other public stands.
The quarterback faced a major setback in September 2023 when he suffered an Achilles Injury during an offensive snap, causing him to take a break.
He spent the rest of the year recuperating from his injury to get back to the field.
Some Major Reveals from Aaron Rodgers: Enigma
Here are some of the key revelations in Aaron Rodgers: Enigma throughout its three-episode run:
- Fallout of his family:
Since 2016, it has been public knowledge that Rodgers wasn't on talking terms with his family. Aaron Rodgers: Enigma goes very little on this topic, but it does offer some insights. The series suggests that things like different beliefs regarding religion and Rodgers' "alternative lifestyle" contributed to the strain. Jordan Rodgers, Aaron's brother's winning appearance on The Bachelorette in 2016 further drove a wedge. Aaron Rodgers expressed disappointment at not being invited for dinner with his brother and his fiancé during that season. Rodgers further added that even if he was invited, he wouldn't have gone for the dinner.
- Feelings on being Benched in 2021:
Before joining New York Jets in 2023, Rodgers was a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers between 2005-2022. It was during the 2023 season, that the Packers replaced Rodgers with Jordan Love. Rodgers said that he couldn't believe it, and then added:
"Then the pick happens, and I immediately got off the couch and was super non-reactive. And I just went to pour myself some tequila and went back to the couch and knew there was going to be some interesting conversations.”
- Aaron Rodgers was regarded as the Vice Presidential Candidate by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
Politically, Aaron Rodgers has expressed support for RFK Jr. and his presidential campaign. However, per The Independent and Aaron's confession in Aaron Rodgers: Enigma, he was on the list of vice presidential picks for a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidency. While Rodgers may look like an unconventional choice, considering that he was contemplating retiring from the NFL, a Rodgers vice presidency could have been a possibility. Ultimately, Rodgers chose to return to football with the Jets.
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If you are interested in seeing a vulnerable side of Aaron Rodgers, don't miss out on Aaron Rodgers: Enigma. The docuseries is streaming worldwide on Netflix.
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