Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback for the New York Jets, has been at the center of a long-standing family feud that has captured the attention of football fans and media alike. For most of the past decade, Rodgers had not spoken to his family, but a surprising turn of events changed that narrative last year.
In Ian O’Connor’s new book, “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers,” the quarterback opened up about his strained relationship with his family. The revelation came after Rodgers had a secret meeting with his father, Ed, in Lake Tahoe in July 2023. This meeting marked a significant turning point in their relationship, which had been fractured since the holiday season of 2014.
“I could do a lot of things,” Rodgers, now 40, shared with the New York Post. “But I just thought, ‘What’s best in this moment, and what kind of gift could I give him?’ Because I do love him. I don’t have animosity toward him, even with all the stuff that’s been said and done.”
The family rift first became public in July 2016 when Rodgers’ brother, Jordan, appeared on “The Bachelorette” and revealed that everyone in the family was estranged from Aaron. While details about the feud have been scarce, the book suggests that Rodgers’ ex-girlfriend, Olivia Munn, may have played a role. Allegedly, Ed and Darla Rodgers were not pleased with Munn sharing intimate details about her relationship with Aaron.
“Given her devout religious views, Aaron’s mother disapproved of premarital sex and was opposed to her middle child sharing a hotel room with his girlfriend even as an NFL player,” O’Connor wrote.
Following the pivotal meeting in Lake Tahoe, Rodgers’ parents were present at his first game with the Jets. Tragically, the game turned disastrous for Rodgers as he tore his Achilles on the fourth play from scrimmage. Ed Rodgers described the shock in the stadium, saying, “It took the wind out of the whole stadium. The people around us didn’t know who we were, but nobody said anything negative like, ‘This is what happens with an older quarterback.’ It was, ‘Oh no. Oh no. Tell me it’s not true.’ … It literally happened right across from us.”
As Rodgers navigates the complexities of family dynamics while continuing his football career, his fans and critics eagerly await more developments in this captivating chapter of his life.