Aaron Rodgers: 'They Forced It Down Our Throats'

Jets' QB commented on the decision to feature Gang Green on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

New York Jets' quarterback Aaron Rodgers paused during a round of golf to answer questions for a California-based television reporter on Thursday.

KPIX sports director Dennis O'Donnell interviewed the sweet-swinging Rodgers on the 14th green at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe and asked the future Hall-of-Fame field general about Gang Green's impending participation in HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Sharing his thoughts with the CBS Bay Area affiliate, Rodgers sounded lukewarm about having to work in the presence of HBO and NFL Films camera crews.

"I understand the appeal with us. There’s a lot of eyes on me, a lot of eyes on our team, a lot of expectations for our squad," said Rodgers in full golf attire. "They forced it down our throats and we gotta deal with it.”

Rodgers dropped an unenthusiastic take on "Hard Knocks" as a guest on the Men's Journal-powered "Club Random with Bill Maher" podcast last year. The comedian and the quarterback lamented over the idea that the documentary series had become somewhat stale.

"It is kind of the same show every year," said Maher, who elicited an audible "Yeah!" from Rodgers.

"And here's this guy who's interesting and this guy's over the top," said Rodgers. "This guy, he had a rough time and this coach is silly."

If "Hard Knocks" does indeed need a jolt, Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, and the Jets are arguably the perfect team to attract renewed interest in the show.

The 39-year-old Rodgers's star power was evident when play began on Wednesday in Lake Tahoe.

"Rodgers might have been the most popular NFL player during Day 1 of the celebrity tournament," wrote Gilberto Manzano, who is covering the event for Sports Illustrated.

"Brian Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone in the extremely popular sitcom 'The Office', at one point jokingly said 'no pictures' while fans rushed past him to chase Rodgers for autographs."

Hard Knocks on @HBO is coming to the @nyjets. What say you, Aaron Rodgers? Thgts from the 14th green at the American Century Championship. @ACChampionship @AaronRodgers12 @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/SrfVEW7w88

— vernkpix (@vernKPIX) July 12, 2023

As to whether or not Rodgers plans on giving the cold shoulder to the "Hard Knocks" cameras is anyone's guess.

“I think there’s no telling," said Rodgers's former teammate A.J. Hawk on the Pat McAfee Show in early June. "I think he will let them all in or he will completely cut them off.” 

Although he may not be interested in the extra attention that HBO's cameras will bring to the team, Rodgers is a fan of the docuseries narrator.

“One of the only things I like about Hard Knocks is the voice of God, who narrates it, Liev [Schreiber]," said Rodgers on Thursday in Lake Tahoe. "I hope I get to meet him."

The Jets are going to be on Hard Knocks, and we already know how Aaron Rodgers feels about it 😬@ClubRandom_ presented by @MensJournal https://t.co/90D91Dx1cU pic.twitter.com/r7YHpcw9x5

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 12, 2023

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