Thank you, Aaron Rodgers.

Twelve,

Forget the noise that comes from expectations, fanaticism, and the media - we Packer fans owe you a “thank you”.

Over the years Packer fans have been through a lot of ups and downs.

There were many years between Starr and Favre that are quite forgettable and a reflection of a small-market organization struggling to compete.

While Brett brought success and life back to this organization, little did we know the greatness that would come next.

The NFL Draft is a beautiful mystery, much like you stated about your future last year. All NFL organizations are very different with varying cities, cultures, people, and demographics. As a young player preparing to enter the professional world, the better you are, the less choices you have. Here you fell in the draft to the Bay…but the wrong one. Growing up in California you had thought your future was perfectly set up and would play for the 49ers, and life had other plans.

Us Packer fans were a little confused by the pick at the time. But we didn’t realize how the Cali kid and the midwesterners would mesh.

We were loyal to a fault to Brett as he brought us out of the doldrums of mediocrity. Here was Aaron, the confident California kid ready to take the reins from a legend.

Brett started to waffle and Packer fans wanted him back, thank you for pressing forward and showing us we were wrong.

Thank you for waiting. Thank you for learning and embracing the passion of this fan base.

With your success came monumental expectations. Really since the super bowl run - every Packer fan expected the dynasty to kick off.

Monumental expectations came with crushing finality year-in and year-out. That pain that we feel with the losses - only comes because we expect to win with you at the helm. And we won a lot of games together.

Your greatness on the field brought that confidence in us fans that…

…no matter how many injuries we have in the secondary - I thought we could win (who is guarding Julio? I think he just scored again…)

…no matter who is starting at running back - I thought we could win (running backs can wear #88?)

…no matter how many all-pro guys are on the opposing d-line against an injured Packer o-line - I thought we could win

…no matter what - if YOU were starting, Packer fans thought we had a chance.

Thank you for that hope.

Thank you for the amazing moments.

Thank you for the Super Bowl.

And thank you for proudly representing the state of Wisconsin, its people, and the Green Bay Packers.