“I own you” – Aaron Rodgers makes savage declaration against the one team that passed on him in 2005 NFL Draft
Aaron Rodgers was taken 24th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, the team that he still plays for today. That means that 21 teams (the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings picked twice) passed up on the chance to draft a surefire Hall of Famer.
It's not uncommon for players who feel they were drafted too low to be annoyed at teams that didn't draft them. This could especially be true for someone like Rodgers, who was supposed to be a top pick.
With so many options to choose from, Rodgers has honed in on one team that specifically passed him on draft night as the team he enjoys exacting revenge on the most.
He was asked about it by NBA star Serge Ibaka on Ibaka's podcast:
"Chicago, Chicago Bears and the Packers. That's a rivalry... So it was still number four. Number four pick. Yeah, they passed on me still. So I love playing them. Don't buy them or beat them. I think in my career, I'm like 22 and five against them or something. You know, really good record."
Rodgers admitted it felt good last season when he admonished Bears fans after another victory:
"You know, last year we played them. I scored this touchdown late in the game and put it away. And I stood you know, I kind of, I was knocked down to play and I was like on one knee, look up in the stands. And all I saw was everybody give me the finger And I was like what? I said 'I own you.'"
Unfortunately, with his future uncertain, he may not be able to exact any more revenge on the Bears, at least not as a member of the heated rivalry.
Who was taken over Aaron Rodgers in 2005?
Though there were great players drafted in 2005, most of them are not better than Aaron Rodgers.
Here's how the draft went:
- Alex Smith, SF
- Ronnie Brown, MIA
- Braylon Edwards, CLE
- Cedric Benson, CHI
- Cadillac Williams, TB
- Adam Jones, TEN
- Troy Williamson, MIN
- Antrel Rolle, AZ
- Carlos Rogers, WAS
- Mike Williams, DET
- DeMarcus Ware, DAL
- Shawne Marriman, SD
- Jammal Brown, NO
- Thomas Davis, CAR
- Derrick Johnson, KC
- Travis Johnson, HOU
- David Pollack, CIN
- Erasmus James, MIN
- Alex Barron, STL
- Marcus Spears, DAL
- Matt Jones, JAX
- Mark Clayton, BAL
- Fabian Washington, OAK
- Aaron Rodgers, GB
Many of these teams would love a do-over.