refWrite backpage: Sports: Pro Football: Packers have a gen in their team's leadership style

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Sports: Pro Football: Packers have a gen in their team's leadership style

Two birds with one stone: First, the Green B ay Packers' team captain, Aaron Rodgers and his style of athletic leadership of his team and in the broader sport of Pro Football in the USA. Second, this page with all its semiotic details is presented to alert you to quality Christian sports journaletics as exemplified by Christian Athletes Examiner by journo Joey Soto, Jr. I'm just learning myself about this faith-aspect of Rodgers' vocation and his sports morality, as well as the Examiner and its fine journo Soto.

-- Sportikos

Aaron Rodgers wins championship, humbly leads

February 6th, 2011 10:39 pm ET

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Last week, Aaron Rodgers spent a good portion of his press conference time talking about his relationship with God.

Sunday night, after leading the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history, he used his time addressing the sports world by humbly giving credit to his defense for the victory.

Mind you that Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 309 yards and three touchdowns, yet he's giving the credit to his defense. That's humility.

Some of you might be wondering what's to be celebrated about this Christian athlete, anyway. He didn't exactly make God the center of his inital comments like many other athletes. But that's just in line with Rodgers and his soft-spoken personality.

A great article by Athletes in Action from October 2010 took a deeper look in Rodgers faith and up-bringing. Rodgers grew up with two great Christian role models in his parents, and his father was a major role model. Rodgers is active in his service when the lights go off and his season is over. Even in the middle of the season, he's making an impact on his community.

But Rodgers normally doesn't do it like Tim Tebow. You won't see John 3:16 in his eyeblack. You won't hear him giving the typical, almost cliche, "glory to God" line when accepting awards. And you probably won't see him pointing to the sky to thank God after throwing or rushing for a touchdown. That's just not his style.

Rodgers told Athletes in Action that he loves to use his fame and celebrity to make a more soft-spoken and indirect impact on charities and organizations. Troy Murphy, pastor at Green Bay Community Church and the Packer chaplain, told Athletes in Action that, "Aaron will not stand on the bleachers and shout, but he will privately live that life consistently with Jesus. I love that about him.”

That's an admirable trait.

He might not boldly vocalize his intent to do all things for God, but it seems he's not just living for his glory, either. He's being consistent with the soft-spoken personality God has given him and using what God's blessed him with for something more than his own selfish ambition. At the end of the day, that's what God desires.

Rodgers certainly breaks the trend of your stereotypical poster-boy Christian athlete. But it's all the same to God. Rodgers is using his talents and blessings to serve his King.

Well played, Aaron. Well played.