Bye Bye, Aaron (Finally!)

Now that the long-awaited, much anticipated (and dissected) trade with New York Jets has ended the 18-year tenure of quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, let me speak for a majority of Packer fans.

'Bout friggin' time!

A long time ago, most of us reached our ARF, our Aaron Rodgers Fatigue limit. Ready to move on and begin the Jordan Love Era in Green Bay -- and hope against hope that our 30-year-run of Hall of Fame quarterbacking, from Brett Favre to Rodgers, continues with the Next Guy Up.

Green Bay and New York swapped first round picks this year (Packers moved up to 13th from 15th). Jets gave GB another second rounder this year, Packers gave Jets a fifth rounder. Jets also gave a second round pick in 2024 that could become a first round choice should Rodgers play 65% of the offensive snaps at his new home.

All in all, a good exchange for the Packers, who now have 11 draft picks (and four of the top 78). This should help reload the team AND give Green Bay an impact player or two. Think tight end will be the first position that the Packers fill on Thursday.

Thanks Aaron, by the way, for the GREAT memories. Enjoy New York -- though we all expect it will be a short stay career-wise.

A few weeks ago, John Brockington passed away at 74. The former All-Pro fullback ranks fourth on the Green Bay Packer career rushing list, rushing for 5,024 yards from 1971-77. Brockington was the first NFL running back to put up over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first three seasons in the league.

I have a memory of Brockington's rookie season, 1971, that stands out. Had won a pair of tickets to the Packer-Cincinnati Bengals game on a charity drawing through Oshkosh Lourdes Academy. The game was Oct. 3, 1971. Attempting to tackle Brockington in the game, Cincinnati defensive back Ken Dyer suffered a broken neck, ending his playing career. We (had taken buddy Brian along to the game) were shocked as Dyer was taken from the field on a backboard. It really brought out the fact that NFL football is a violent, violent sport.

We even sent a card to Dyer during his stay at Green Bay's Bellin Hospital. Got a card back from him as well, though sadly that has been misplaced over the years.

Brockington would go on to carry 216 times for 1,105 that season, a 5.1 average and one of the few bright spots in Dan Devine's first year as coach, as the team finished 4-8-2.

Not sure if the Milwaukee Brewers were paying attention to littl' ol' me awhile back when questioned about the seventh inning "last call" -- probably not, in all honesty. But it seems are just one of many ballclubs that have extended beer sales with games being shortened in length.