Aaron Rodgers responds to Jamal Adams' celebration: 'There hasn't been a lot of positives' for opponents who mock championship belt
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gotten used to defenders mocking his championship belt celebration.
The latest player to try was Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, who mocked the belt celebration after he intercepted a pass in the third quarter of Sunday's game. The problem, for Adams and the Seahawks, at least, is that Green Bay shut them out and won the game, 17-0.
"I didn't see him do it, but there hasn't been a lot of positive things that come from guys doing it over the years," Rodgers said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show. "The boys can put together some mockups for some of those things, but there hasn't been a lot of positives that have come away from guys mocking the belt over the years. That was a gift that I threw him late in the game, an absolute early Christmas present on that one, a bad decision. I obviously didn't throw it anywhere near where I wanted to throw it."
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The play happened late in the third quarter, with the Packers holding a three-point lead and in the red zone. Rodgers took a third-and-6 snap and avoided pressure until he was hit as he threw a desperation pass into the end zone. The ball sailed and fell right to Adams.
"Look, there have been some guys who have made some good picks over the years," Rodgers continued. "A good play on the ball, or baiting me. There hasn't been a ton of guys, but those I really respect. And most of those guys, I tell them after the game, I say, 'Hey, man, good play.' I got respect for that. And I respect Jamal. He's a hell of a player. But that wasn't necessarily the most difficult one. I kind of threw it right to him."
Rodgers typically does the celebration after he makes big plays, especially rushes that result in scores. During the celebration, he motions his hands toward his belt, mimicking what someone might do if they were wearing a championship belt that is used in boxing and other sports. Rodgers also made the celebration mainstream when he did it in commercials for State Farm.
Against the Seahawks, Rodgers made his return after he missed Week 9's game because he tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 3. Because he is unvaccinated, Rodgers was forced to isolate for 10 days. Since he was asymptomatic after the completion of that period, he was able to play, despite being cleared by doctors only on Saturday.
Yet Rodgers landed on the injury report with a toe issue he said he sustained during his time at home in isolation.
"Yeah, that was a COVID injury," Rodgers said, though he declined to share exactly how it happened. "It's a little painful but I think I'll be OK. I was able to run around a bit on the field on Sunday."
Rodgers and the Packers (8-2) face the Minnesota Vikings (4-5) Sunday in a battle of NFC North rivals.