Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers surprised many when he declined to exchange jerseys with wide receiver Jameson Williams following a loss to the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions defeated the Packers 20-16 at Lambeau Field on Sunday, resulting in the Packers missing the NFL playoffs for the first time in four years.
After the game, a video went viral on social media showing Williams requesting Rodgers’ jersey.
“I gotta hold on to this one,” Rodgers responded to the rookie.
**Why Did Aaron Rodgers Refuse to Exchange Jerseys with Jameson Williams?**
Rodgers explained in the post-game press conference that he wanted to keep the jersey because it holds special significance for him.
“I think I might have told him I’d give him a jersey when we played in Detroit, but there are some special ones I’d like to keep. It was nothing against Jameson,” Rodgers said.
“I want to keep this one. It’s a night game at Lambeau, Week 18—there are certain jerseys you like holding on to.
“A big Sunday night game is a little bit different.”
**Will Aaron Rodgers Retire?**
Rodgers’ comments fueled retirement rumors, but he clarified that he isn’t making any immediate decisions about his future.
“It’s a little raw right now, just after the game,” he said.
“I want to take the emotion out of it and have conversations to see where the organization is at and how I feel after some time has passed.
“I’m not going to hold them hostage.
“We’re still in January. March is free agency. So, I just need some time to, like I said, get the emotion out of it and figure out what’s best.
“No, [I don’t think it’s just my decision]. It has to be mutual on both sides.
“I don’t like to say never, but I’ve got to see how I’m feeling first, once the emotion is out of it.
“You want to go out winning the Super Bowl, but that rarely happens.
“You don’t want to lose your last game and miss the playoffs, but this is a really tough business, and it doesn’t always end with rainbows.”
“The competitive fire is always going to be there. I don’t think that is ever going away. Sometimes it gets transferred to other things, but I wouldn’t have any regrets walking away.
