Both the Green Bay Packers quarterback, Rodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers left fielder, Braun, attended the ESPN Wisconsin Sports Awards earlier in 2012 taking a few accolades home with them. Rodgers won Professional Athlete of the Year, nominated with Braun, former Brewers first baseman Fielder and golfer Stricker.
Rodgers also received the award for Player of the Year and repped Green Bay taking Team of the Year honors, not surprising since the footballers were the Super Bowl XLV Champions. Still, Milwaukee’s baseball squad was the Central League Division Champs in 2011. Their success is stunning separately, and even more so when put together. They've achieved quite a lot before hitting the big three-o.
Both hailing from the beaches of California’s West Coast, it’s plausible that the pair would find some commonality here in the Midwest. They’ve supported each other through growing periods and tests of integrity, proving to fans and foes alike that they’re a force to be reckoned with. And that they can have fun supporting their new ‘home base’ together too.
In Janet Raasch’s M interview Braun stresses consistency and preparation when showing up everyday, an uphill task – and certainly more easily said than done. The young athlete was falsely accused of using performance enhancing drugs last year and faced a long game suspension that was rightly overturned in the months following. Braun said, ‘You compete as hard as you can day in and day out. The more prepared I am the better chance I have to have success.’
Rodgers knows well how to remain strong, stay focused and keep a steady head, even while being pushed to the background by an older, renowned player that just won’t let go. But the past is history now and he’s already started on a road to greatness with potential far beyond his predecessor. He said, ‘you don’t know how much you have to sacrifice to be successful.’
Both men are well-dressed and dapper off the field and out of uniform. When it comes to style, in the interview Rodgers acknowledged that he is, clearly, the better dressed. While that may or may not be true - style is personal taste afterall - Aaron, when it comes to fancy facial hair, you are the clear Stache Winner.
What do you say, when you and the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl XLVII next year, go even bigger and bolder - establish the 'RodgerStache'?
As the Packers begin practice today for this next football season, the quarterback believes in showing by doing, a trait found in many of the most respected influential people in our world. He said, ‘actions always speak louder than words.’
Too true. In our personal and professional lives, it’s important to practice what we preach. People respond to action-takers. Action mobilizes us, gives us strength and a feeling of camaraderie.
It’s fantastic that these two men have found a unique companionship in their acceleration to excellence. Even though their fields of choice are not the same, they’ve grown up together in the wild world of professional sports where their choices and actions are a constant discussion whether it’s football, baseball or any other season (ESPN never stops!). Rodgers and Braun understand the sacrifice, the team aspect, the uninterrupted focus and competitive drive to do what it takes to surpass their dreams.
Most recently the MVP's have partnered together in a Farm-to-Table restaurant venture. Appropriately named 8-Twelve, the location on Bluemound Road in Brookfield, Wisconsin has had difficulty in keeping tenants over the last few years. Managed by SURG, Rodgers and Braun will have their work cut out keeping their numbers posted up on the outside of this building. But hey, if anyone can make it, it's these two.
In good Wisconsin fun, click here and scroll to the bottom to find one of my favorite Packers jokes. No offense to Vikings fans! The truth can hurt :-)
Here's to our state, these athletes, an excellent M interview and cover - and to many more years of Wisconsin being the Big Cheese!
