Injured QB Aaron Rodgers Hoists His Mantra for Recovery With an Ode to the Late NBA Legend: “What Kobe Went Through”

It was supposed to be a dream season for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets after a blockbuster trade that sent the reigning MVP from Green Bay to the Big Apple. The superstar QB was expected to lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969. But as fate would have it, he got injured. Now, the 39-year-old looks up to the late Kobe Bryant for his recovery roadmap.

Four snaps into his Jets debut, Rodgers’ season came to a screeching halt. He tore his left Achilles tendon, was carted off the field, and underwent surgery the next day. This is precisely what Kobe did back in 2013 when he, too, suffered a torn left Achilles tendon. Now, not only does A-Rod plan to imitate Kobe’s recovery process, but also wants to go even further.

Aaron Rodgers busts myths about his injury

He was seen on the sidelines at MetLife in the game against the Chiefs. Onlookers were shocked to see the former Green Bay Packers QB move quite nimbly. Rodgers came on The Pat McAfee Show to clear the air regarding the rumors surrounding his rehabilitation process.

“I knew what Kobe went through and I knew that Kobe had surgery the next day and he came back fairly quick,” A-Rod told the former punter for the Colts. He further added, “There’s nothing normal about how I’m attacking this rehab.” Rodgers also opened up on the show about his mindset concerning the injury.

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Going through a tough and long injury rehabilitation is mentally taxing for any person, but especially for pro athletes. “I believe in the power of intention. I believe in prayer. I believe in, uh, the way that you, uh, your mental status and Power of Will. I believe in making room for the miraculous to happen,” A-Rod told McAfee. Taking motivation from the GOAT, the late Kobe Bryant, also demonstrates Rodgers’ mindset. But the QB should be careful — he wouldn’t want to go through what the NBA legend went through after his recovery.

Kobe’s struggles after the recovery

The late Kobe Bryant has been a source of inspiration for many athletes in the sporting world. But A-Rod should also keep in mind what happened to Kobe after the quick recovery. Injured in April 2013, the ‘Black Mamba’ returned to court in December.

Although the Pro Baller’s return to court was a testament to his resilience, his performances lacked. For the next three years of his active career, Kobe failed to lead his team to more championships. He also suffered multiple injuries in different parts of his foot. Kobe was 34 when he got injured; A-Rod is the oldest active player in the NFL.

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Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, now faces a long and grueling recovery process that could jeopardize his future in the NFL. But he is not giving up on a comeback. He is determined to overcome the odds and return to the field as soon as possible. Will A-Rod make a quick recovery back to the gridiron?