GREEN BAY — Although Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been calling some of the team's season ticketholders and apologizing to them for his suspension for his involvement with the Biogenesis scandal and his use of performance-enhancing substances, his one-time friend Aaron Rodgers has not received one of those calls.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback said so on his weekly radio show on 540 ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com Tuesday afternoon.
"I haven't gotten one of those calls," Rodgers said.
Asked if that was disappointing to him, Rodgers replied simply, "No."
After news of Braun's 65-game suspension broke, Rodgers was asked about their relationship on the opening day of training camp, July 26.
"I was shocked, I really was, just like many of you were," Rodgers told a throng of reporters at his locker after the first practice of camp. "I was backing up a friend who looked me in the eye on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied these allegations, said they weren't true.
"So, it is disappointing, not only for myself as a friend, but for obviously Wisconsin sports fans, Brewer fans, Major League Baseball fans. It doesn't feel great being lied to like that and I'm disappointed about the way it all went down."
Asked then if Braun has reached out to him, Rodgers replied, "Yeah, I've talked to him."
At the time, Rodgers wouldn't address how the turn of events will affect their friendship or the Milwaukee-area restaurant 8-Twelve, which they are both involved with. However, he certainly didn't rule out the possibility of ending his business association with Braun
"That's yet to be determined yet," Rodgers replied. "I don't regret backing a friend up. Obviously, in hindsight, a more measured approach next time would obviously be the better course of action."
Last week, SURG Restaurant Group announced that it was ending its relationship with Braun and that 8-Twelve would be renamed. Ryan Braun's Graffito Restaurant will stay open until the end of the year "to honor its pre-existing obligations to its customers and employees" before being shuttered, the group had said.
Michael Polaski, CEO and co-owner of SURG Restaurant Group, said in making the announcement that Rodgers will continue his relationship with SURG with a focus on community relations and charitable activities.
Asked Tuesday if he was talking with punter Tim Masthay, who wears No. 8 for the Packers, to replace Braun as a restaurant partner, Rodgers suggested Milwaukee Bucks player Larry Sanders, who also wears No. 8.
"He just signed an extension," Rodgers joked, referring to Sanders' recent $44 million deal. "I'm very happy for my Bucks there."
According to SURG, however, the restaurant in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield will be renamed. A second 8-Twelve location, set to open at Bayshore Town Center, will still open but when and under what name has yet to be decided.
Jason Wilde wrote: