by Aaron Rodgers: A Look at the People Closest to the NFL Star
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Aaron Rodgers has established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history during his 15-year career with the Green Bay Packers. While his on-field accomplishments are well documented, Rodgers tends to keep his personal life relatively private. However, there are a select few individuals who consistently appear in Rodgers’ social media posts and are considered to be among his closest friends and confidantes. Let’s take a look at some of the key people in Rodgers’ inner circle.
Dan Marino
One of Rodgers’ longtime friends and mentors is Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. At 58 years old, Marino retired from the NFL back in 2000 after an illustrious 17-year career spent entirely with the Miami Dolphins. Despite being decades removed from his playing days, Marino has remained heavily involved in the game and taken young quarterbacks under his wing. Rodgers is one of those QBs who has benefited greatly from Marino’s wisdom and guidance.
The two quarterbacks first connected not long after Rodgers entered the league as the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Marino recognized Rodgers’ talent and work ethic and was eager to share his knowledge. Over the years, they’ve developed a close bond and are frequently spotted playing golf together when their schedules allow. Rodgers has said Marino provides a calming, veteran presence and has helped him improve his mental approach and decision making on the field.
At various points when Rodgers has struggled or faced adversity in his career, he’s turned to Marino for advice on how to rebound. Their friendship shows that NFL legends are still passionate about developing the next generation of star quarterbacks long after retirement. Marino takes pride in Rodgers’ accomplishments and continues serving as a mentor nearly two decades into his protégé’s career. Their bond is a testament to the fraternity among elite QBs, both past and present.
David Bakhtiari
While Marino provides Rodgers guidance off the field, left tackle David Bakhtiari is one of his closest friends and allies within the Packers organization. A ninth-year pro, Bakhtiari has been Rodgers’ blindside protector and locker room confidante since being drafted by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. On the field, their chemistry and communication is vital to the Packers’ offensive success. Bakhtiari’s stellar blocking is a big reason for Rodgers’ sustained production and health throughout his career.
Off the field, Bakhtiari and Rodgers share a great rapport and sense of humor. Their bromance is on full display anytime the two are mic’d up during games or practice. Bakhtiari is never shy about playfully chirping Rodgers to fire him up or keep things light. But he also provides a serious, supportive presence in big moments. Rodgers trusts Bakhtiari with his life on every snap and considers him one of his closest friends on the team.
The left tackle is a regular presence at Rodgers’ annual football camp and other charity events. On social media, the two often joke around and give each other a hard time. But their respect and bond is evident. Bakhtiari is someone Rodgers leans on for both on-field and off-field advice within the Packers organization. Their friendship highlights how important offensive line chemistry is to a quarterback’s success and well-being.
Valarie Guerrero
Since 2017, Rodgers has been in a committed relationship with former NASCAR crew member Valarie Guerrero. The private pair keeps most details of their romance under wraps, but Guerrero is frequently spotted supporting Rodgers at Packers games and other events. On his Instagram page, Rodgers posts loving tributes to Guerrero on holidays and special occasions.
In 2020, Rodgers gushed about Guerrero while accepting NFL MVP honors, thanking her for her constant support. “You’re just someone who loves me for who I am, so I’m very thankful for that,” he said. Rodgers values Guerrero for allowing him to be himself outside of the intense spotlight of professional football. Their bond has withstood the test of time, as Rodgers’ previous high-profile relationship with actress Olivia Munn ended in 2017 after three years together.
Guerrero seems to bring Rodgers a sense of calm, stability and normalcy away from the field. Her low-key presence is a nice contrast to Rodgers’ stardom. At Packers games, Guerrero can be seen cheering enthusiastically for Rodgers from the sidelines. Her support no doubt provides Rodgers with added confidence and motivation to perform at his best. While they keep personal details private, it’s clear Guerrero plays a vital role as Rodgers’ girlfriend and biggest fan outside of football.
Olivia Munn
From 2014 to 2017, Rodgers was in a high-profile relationship with actress Olivia Munn. Their romance attracted significant media attention, as Munn was more public about flaunting their relationship on social media and on red carpets. She was a regular presence at Packers home games in Green Bay and other team events during their time together. Munn supported Rodgers openly and was proud to be linked to one of the NFL’s biggest stars.
However, Rodgers has always preferred keeping his personal life private. Some speculate the spotlight Munn brought may have added unwanted pressure. After nearly three years together, Rodgers and Munn quietly parted ways in 2017. Since the breakup, Rodgers has dated more under the radar while Munn has moved on as well. Their split was amicable, and Rodgers has never said a negative word about his ex-girlfriend publicly.
Munn still remains one of the most significant relationships in Rodgers’ life to date. She was a part of his routine for several seasons both on and off the field. While their romance didn’t have a fairy tale ending, Munn’s time with Rodgers showed he was willing to open up more personally while they dated. She supported him through career highs and lows, and their breakup marked a shift back to Rodgers prioritizing his privacy in future relationships.
Family and Other Friends
Of course, Rodgers’ inner circle extends beyond just the few high-profile names mentioned. He remains extremely close with his family, especially his mother and brother. Rodgers also has lifelong friends from his hometown of Chico, California who he stays connected to. Within the Packers organization, Rodgers has bonded with countless teammates and coaches over the years. He’s developed strong relationships all throughout the NFL as well.
Whether it’s offseason workouts with young Packers pass catchers or regular golf outings with retired veterans, Rodgers puts effort into cultivating meaningful friendships across the football world. He also stays involved in the community through his Aaron Rodgers Charitable Foundation, which supports various good causes important to the quarterback. While a private person, Rodgers finds time to positively impact those in and outside of the game who have helped shape his incredible career.
In Summary
Nearly two decades into his NFL tenure, Aaron Rodgers remains at the top of his game on the field. But behind the scenes, it’s the people in Rodgers’ inner circle who help him stay grounded and motivated throughout the long journey of professional football. Figures like Marino, Bakhtiari, Guerrero, and even his ex Munn, have all played meaningful roles in Rodgers’ life at different points. As he approaches the later stages of his elite career, these supportive relationships will be more important than ever. Rodgers’ success shows the value of having a tight-knit support system both on the field and beyond it.
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