Netflix Gets Trippy With Aaron Rodgers

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As a sports enthusiast and psychologist who has spent years studying the lives of athletes, I find Aaron Rodgers‘ story to be a fascinating blend of talent, controversy, and personal growth. His journey is one that mirrors the complexities of many high-profile individuals, where success on the field often masks deeper emotional and familial struggles.

The upcoming docuseries titled “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” debuting on Netflix December 17, may not alter one’s perspective on the controversial future Hall of Fame quarterback who is currently playing for the consistently disappointing 4-10 New York Jets at the age of 41. The series includes behind-the-scenes footage showing his intense rehabilitation from a season-ending Achilles injury, which will impress his fans. It also delves into his well-known spiritual journey involving psychedelics, which may pique the interest of those less acquainted with the unusual aspects of this NFL star. His reflections on 2021, when he stated “yes, I’ve been immunized” during a press conference, but in reality was not vaccinated, contracted COVID-19, and missed a game later in the season, may displease critics. Instead of admitting the truth, Rodgers places blame on the media for not asking follow-up clarification questions.

The series fails to touch upon the recent Jimmy Kimmel controversy that stirred up quite a storm earlier this year: Rodgers incorrectly linked the late-night host to a group of Jeffrey Epstein’s associates, sparking a heated disagreement. Enigma co-director Gotham Chopra opted not to tie the series to the 2024 news cycle, preferring instead to provide a broad and enlightening exploration. Nevertheless, the documentary could have been strengthened by discussing the Kimmel fallout, as it serves as one of the most current instances demonstrating why Rodgers is one of the most contentious figures in sports today. Even during an age when fans often anticipate athletes to voice opinions on matters outside their sporting arena, Rodgers’ penchant for inserting himself into scientific debates where he lacks formal training, dabbling in conspiracies, and projecting arrogance, grates more than any other.

As a co-founder of Religion of Sports alongside Tom Brady and Michael Strahan, Chopra has become well-versed in all things related to Aaron Rodgers. He’s spent numerous hours with the quarterback over the past year and even joined him on a psychedelic retreat in Costa Rica for a series. For those who are somewhat tired of the ongoing drama surrounding Rodgers, Chopra offers a glimmer of hope: he believes that once Rodgers eventually retires from football – with his football legacy firmly established – he will take a step back from public life for some time.

According to Chopra, Rodgers might organize more ayahuasca retreats and similar experiences in the future. He may also venture into entrepreneurship, specializing in ayahuasca services in Costa Rica. Chopra notes that Rodgers remains mysterious to many, including himself, which could be why he’s single and without children. He’s still exploring his own identity, as evidenced by his past engagement with Shailene Woodley ending in 2022.

Although Aaron Rodgers briefly considered running for vice president alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following Kennedy’s withdrawal from the presidential race in August, it appears unlikely that he will pursue a political career after his football days are over. According to Chopra, “The divisive matters are draining.” “I don’t believe he inherently enjoys it,” she continues. “He’s reached a point where he doesn’t care anymore and won’t hide his opinions. However, it’s not enjoyable to face so many critics and adversaries. He’s not like Donald Trump; he doesn’t derive pleasure from such confrontations.

Almost straightaway after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the opening four plays of the 2023 season with the Jets, his debut year with the team, he confided in Brady that he had started watching a film documenting Kobe Bryant’s recovery from a 2013 Achilles injury. Brady then disclosed to Rodgers that Chopra was the director of this movie, titled “Kobe Bryant’s Muse“, and proposed they arrange a meeting. A few days later, Rodgers and Chopra met up in California. Rodgers granted him exclusive rights to his rehabilitation process and agreed to multiple interviews.

In the movie, Chopra and co-director Liam Hughes had an extensive conversation with Rodgers about various contentious topics such as the vaccination debate and his well-known feud with his family. As Rodgers explains in the film, “I wasn’t exceptionally close to everyone in my family.” In reality, he says, feelings of distance stemmed from high school experiences that continued through college and post-college years. He chose not to discuss it publicly because he believed silence was the best approach. But then what happened? Rodgers’ younger brother, Jordan—with whom Rodgers claims they were close—revealed their estrangement on the reality show “The Bachelorette” in 2016. This revelation upset Aaron.

Rodgers says he saw his father, Ed, cry just once, when his grandfather passed away. “There wasn’t space for emotion,” Rodgers says. “So I definitely had some stunted emotional intelligence.” Chopra did not reach out to Rodgers’ family to participate in the documentary. “This is Aaron’s story, from Aaron’s point of view,” says Chopra. “I never felt an obligation of, ‘well, let’s go get his parents’ side of the story. I’m sure there is one. And I didn’t want to do something that was confrontational. Like, ‘oh, I went to talk to your parents, and they said blah, blah, blah. What do you say, Aaron, to that?’”

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve reached out for comments regarding recent events, but neither Ed Rodgers nor Darla Rodgers, Aaron’s mom, have responded to my emails or messages left at their Chico, Calif., office where Ed works as a chiropractor. However, in Ian O’Connor’s 2024 biography titled “Out Of The Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers,” I discovered that his parents did share insights with the author. Interestingly, religion appears to be at the heart of their family rift; it seems Aaron’s spiritual beliefs have moved away from the traditional Christian teachings he was brought up on.

In conversation with O’Connor, Ed Rodgers expressed, “We are open-minded individuals.” He continued, “We would embrace anyone and everyone, regardless of their circumstances. I wish to change the current narrative. We aren’t inflexible; we aren’t extreme or hard-lined, as some may suggest in the media. Instead, we are people striving to live by our faith. We aren’t divisive. The negative portrayals I’ve encountered online about us and our beliefs are simply untrue.

In a change of pace, Rodgers’ grandmother, Barbara Pittman, recounts that during his high school, college, and pro games, her grandson, Aaron Rodgers, would phone them in the mornings to discuss the game strategy. However, as per O’Connor’s book, this practice ceased approximately a decade into Aaron’s professional career. The relationship with his grandparents seemed to falter, though Barbara mentions that Aaron did contact her following Chuck’s demise in 2016. In a letter penned to O’Connor in 2023, Barbara expressed her deep longing for Aaron, stating, “Words fall short of the depth of my love for him.” She added, “If the promises from the sermons I hear are true, I will embrace him again one day…I cherish my Aaron, and perhaps someday we will comprehend what led to this estrangement.

In the story Enigma, Rodgers provides an opportunity for reconciliation. “Aaron has a lot to work on within himself,” states Chopra. “I believe he’ll reach that point. He comprehends the idea of forgiveness, but he hasn’t quite gotten there yet.

Apart from O’Connor, Rodgers also conversed for this book. In the writing, he admitted his remorse regarding his immunization comment, stating that if given a chance to redo things, he would have been more transparent about his stance on vaccinations. “If I could turn back the hands of time, it’s that one thing I wish had gone differently because that was the only point [my critics] could seize upon,” Rodgers expressed.

Enigma further showcases Rodgers’ affection for ayahuasca, a natural psychedelic derived from plants; this captivating footage is bound to generate numerous gifs. At his Costa Rican getaway, Rogers—sporting flip-flops, bearing the signs of fatigue with bags under his eyes, unshaven and grinning broadly—taps a bongo softly. He puffs on a pipe beneath a crescent moon. “Consider the purpose behind your presence here, the voyage you’re embarking on, seems utterly illogical,” Rodgers advises the retreat participants. He interlinks hands in a circle.

During the filming, Aaron abstained from drinking ayahuasca, due to both work-related and personal considerations. In a statement, he said, “Aaron advises everyone else to try it, but only when they feel prepared.

He’s not there yet. But if he ever is, Chopra knows a guy. 

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2024-12-16 12:07