The Green Bay Packers begin their first practice of Organized Team Activities on Tuesday, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided to spend the night before in Milwaukee for a good cause.
The Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer hosted the fund-raiser, "An Evening with Aaron Rodgers" at Mo's . . . A Place for Steaks, with dinner followed by a question-and-answer session at the Riverside Theater.
When he wasn't signing autographs or talking to fans, he spoke in an interview about his interest in the MACC Fund, his new left tackle, playing hurt last year and the buzz about the Packers' No. 1 ranking by a national magazine writer.
"I've been wanting to do something with the MACC Fund for a while," said Rodgers. "My business manager and I started talking about doing something like this and looking for an organization to work with. To me it was a no-brainer to work with the MACC Fund.
"The more I started researching what they were doing, I loved where the money was going, what the organization was doing and the research that was being done. So I was excited to be able to work with them. So we approached them and hopefully it will be a long-term deal."
Jon McGlocklin, president of MACC Fund, said during a phone interview from his home in Arizona that the MACC Fund had contributed close to $36 million for pediatric cancer and related blood disorder research. The primary recipient has been the Medical College of Wisconsin's Midwest Children's Cancer Center. The MACC Fund has a program with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as well.
"This Aaron Rodgers thing is exciting," said McGlocklin.
Rodgers, who has been featured on TMZ and at the Kentucky Derby, arrived wearing a tailored suit a full hour before a lot of the guests. But there were no limousine drops at the front door; he parked at a regular lot and walked in.
And it is clear he's already excited about the upcoming season.
When all the Packers reported to the team Monday, Rodgers briefly saw the team's No. 1 draft pick, 6-foot-5, 316-pound tackle Bryan Bulaga from Iowa.
"You know what? I don't want to blow him up too much, because I'm going to get after him and make sure that he's indoctrinated the right way as a rookie," said Rodgers. "But he looked to me today more like an athlete than a tackle, which is the best compliment I could give him. He's got an athletic body for a big man, so I am excited.
"The great equalizer is pads - and these OTAs will be good to see the young guys, some of the older guys who are coming off injuries and some of the guys who have a lot to prove. It will be good to see where he's at and hopefully he'll be able to pick up right away once we put the pads on."
In a recent radio interview, Rodgers mentioned that he had been dealing with some foot injuries during the 2009 season. But he fought through the injuries and didn't miss a play.
"I just had a couple plays during the season where my feet hurt me," said Rodgers. "Just kind of awkward tackles. Once against Minnesota, one against Detroit, both at home. I don't want to overblow the story, but those are things that every year, it takes a good month for everybody who played a significant amount, for their body to get better."
Rodgers enjoyed hanging out with Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff during the Pro Bowl but then gave himself time to heal. He also sent Packers coach Mike McCarthy a message: "We've got a good thing going."
After playing with Pro Bowl tight ends Vernon Davis and Jason Witten, Rodgers also made a point of telling his own tight, end Jermichael Finley, "You're right there."
Rodgers looks focused, confident, motivated and eager to begin off-season work. He did read Peter King's Sports Illustrated article that came out Monday and said the Packers were the No. 1 team in his NFL rankings.
Rodgers laughed a little, mentioning that King picked the Saints to be 24th last year, something apparently Sean Payton brought up to the reporter after he won the Super Bowl.
"I appreciate all the respect for our team, but" said Rodgers, tilting his head, "it all comes down to how you perform on the field."