MintBaconDrivel
8 years ago
If you read just one article this day, this one has to be it.

The defeat is several days old, but the frustration and disappointment are lingering.

Usually, Aaron Rodgers is much better at letting go and moving on than this. Perhaps it's because he's so unaccustomed to this feeling -- the team is in the middle of losing four of five, something that hasn't happened to him since his first year as the starter. Whatever the reason, the Green Bay Packers quarterback is clearly downtrodden on this early December afternoon as he saunters toward the alcove that connects the team's locker room to the players' parking lot. Then he hears that familiar voice -- and familiar catchphrase -- and pivots.

"Hey, Buuuuuud!" Andy Gruber says cheerfully, steering his laundry cart into Rodgers' path.

From across the room, you can clearly see Rodgers' expression transform -- at least until he and Andy go into WWE wannabe mode, exchange John Cena's patented "You can't see me" wave in front of each of their faces, obscuring Rodgers' wide grin. The two share a fist bump and go their separate ways -- Rodgers out the door, Andy to the next towel-filled bin.

"Andy is the one guy at the facility who can always make me smile," Rodgers later explains. "He's the kind of guy that even after a rough loss, you come in here on Wednesday -- because he doesn't usually work on Monday or Tuesday -- and he's always smiling and saying, ‘Don't worry, we're going to get the next one.'

"I love Andy for who he is. He talks a little slower sometimes, but other than that, it's not something that you really think about, to be honest with you."


Four years ago, Rodgers gave Andy an important job: Work his way around the locker room with a nameless No. 33 jersey and get it signed by every player on the roster. Each day, Rodgers would harp on him about getting each signature, repeatedly emphasizing that it was a gift for someone very close to him. After Andy had collected all the autographs and delivered the jersey to Rodgers, he handed it off to Batty, who delivered it to the team's head seamstress, Marge Switzer. She then sewed a nameplate onto the back, and Batty wrapped Rodgers' gift for him.

"A day later, we bring Andy back in, he opens it up, it's the jersey he'd gotten signed," Batty says, smiling. The No. 33 had been to commemorate Andy's 33rd birthday. "He loved it. He has it framed on his wall at home."

Continue Reading @ ESPN 

Jason Wilde wrote:


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musccy
8 years ago
That's a great story, thanks for sharing. It's nice to have some perspective as we all bitch (myself included) about things that, in reality, don't matter much.
yooperfan
8 years ago
Great story.
I'm thankful for people like Andy, he sets things back into perspective.
I'm glad I took the time to read that piece.
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Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
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Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
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Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
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dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
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buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
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Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
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Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
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beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
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