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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers proves that a Zebra can change its stripes when asked why he's still playing football at 41 years old

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 6:31 PM ET

For better or worse, Aaron Rodgers is one of the most polarizing players that will ever wear a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.

Part of that is because of his elaborate or abstract way of thinking.

Steelers media and fans got the first taste of that on Tuesday, and when asked why Rodgers is still playing football, he had an interesting answer about his past and present...

Aaron Rodgers says his soul is why he's still playing football

"A lot of decisions that I’ve made over my career and in life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling," Rodgers told the media when asked why he is still playing at 41 years old. "But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling. This is a decision that was best for my soul."

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Rodgers is a bona fide, first-ballot Hall of Famer. Sure his time with the New York Jets might leave a sour taste in the mouths of some, but in 20 years, we would look back at everything and say it was an injury-riddled experiment with a dysfunctional franchise.

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The fact that he's admitting that his ego has gotten in the way of his decsion making, seems like a pretty telling admission to me, especially given the way many view his persona in the media.

That sense of fulfillment also likely comes from Rodgers relationship with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization, of which he believed to be his only option after a long offseason...

"A big attraction was Mike Tomlin," Rodgers told the media. "I've gone against him over the years, the way that the conversations went between him and I, between whatever was in March or April, and you know, the last Sunday when I called him was some of the coolest conversations I've had in the game, definitely with the head coach. So he's a big reason I'm here. I believe in him and excited to play for him...

""When it came between me and Mike... as I was going through with my personal stuff, there was no other option. It was here and nowhere else."