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Aaron Rodgers: Leader of the pack

November 4, 2012 12:35 PM

Rodgers' rise to NFL stardom was unlikely, but so are the Packers - the country's only nonprofit, community-owned sports franchise. Scott Pelley reports.

Aaron Rodgers: Leader of the pack
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by badgerfan24 December 11, 2012 2:15 AM EST
This is why I've always disliked this show. how about doing an interview on somebody more important? Aaron Rodger is 6'2", so what? If would have been more amazing if they had done it on somebody like Russell Wilson or Bill Snyder. It was torture enough to watch an interview with Aaron Rodgers, somebody I don't care for in the first place. thanks, 60 minutes.
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by rodgerspackerfan12 November 10, 2012 11:42 AM EST
Nice to see an interview with Aaron! Although, I'm a bit disappointed that his charity work was not highlighted in the piece. Focusins on his sensitivity about his height, etc., was sort of funny - Greg Jennings and Clay Matthews comments were entertaining - but the piece didn't go enough into the man Aaron is. I'm a huge fan of both his tremendous poise and skill on the field, but also of his charity work. He's a great role model and a great person!
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by AmSvensk November 9, 2012 9:29 AM EST
Seems that the CBS 60 minutes crew were so convinced that they were on track with the "sensitive about his height" angle that they could not recognize Aaron was putting one over on them. Then, they compounded this comedy of errors with the Clay Matthews - Greg Jennings inputs about needing to manage their "sensitive" quarterback. Whether ignorance, incompetence or intention, it was good comedy for us.
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by ajsdad4227 November 9, 2012 9:15 AM EST
Unfortunately the work Aaron does with MACC was not included. Aaron Rodgers does amazing work with kids with cancer. And once you've been exposed to that world, it changes you forever. His primary comment on the story was that they didn't show his work with MACC Fund - Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc., which supports kids and research for kids with cancer.

"Rodgers especially was upset that footage of him at a charity function to help fight childhood cancer landed on the cutting-room floor.

"For them to not even show really any of the content from that night, any of the kids, to not say anything about the (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) Fund, what they do for kids with cancer, I think that was the thing that was most disappointing about the piece," Rodgers said. "They had an opportunity to do some great things and really show some things I am passionate about
and didn't do that."

Much of America believes that childhood cancer is a thing of the past, that all kids are treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, that all these kids live. In fact, incidence continues to rise every year, only about 4% of kids are treated at St Jude, and about 1 in 3 of these kids will be killed by cancer or the "cure" before living a normal life span.

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for kids in the US, second only to accidents overall. 13,500 kids are diagnosed every year. Chances are about 1 in 300 that any child will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20. There are no risk factors and no screening tests; it just happens.

Childhood cancers include 12 major types (all different than adult cancers) and hundreds of sub-types. Some are treatable, with 5 year survival rates of 85%, yet many are not, with 5-year survival rates of almost zero! And that's just surviving 5 years - so a 2 year old lives to age 7! The treatments themselves result in long-term secondary effects for 2/3 of survivors, including major organ damage, secondary cancers, issues in school, employment, relationships, hearing loss, and other life-changing secondary effects.

Every day seven kids die from cancer.

Yet, the National Cancer Institute's budget only directs 4% to childhood cancer. The American Cancer Society directs less than 1% of its budget to childhood cancer (so don't let those bald kids on the cover of their annual report or in the ads fool you!); and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society less than 3%. We parents with cancer kids raise money by shaving our heads (St. Baldrick's Foundation) and selling lemonade (Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation). How outrageous is that for the United States of America to not protect our youngest and most innocent citizens from their leading cause of death! So Aaron's work with MACC is much needed.

Every October the NFL turns pink in support of breast cancer awareness. But did you know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

Aaron should be upset. As are thousands of parents, family and kids impacted by this killer. We just want a fair shake at funding, at awareness. Yet, as just demonstrated, when even a major NFL star is unable to share our message on a reputable news show like 60 Minutes, we are all frustrated.

Please, visit www.PeopleAgainstChildhoodCancer.org or People Against Childhood Cancer (PAC2) to learn more and support the fight against childhood cancer.

Remember, the chances are 1 in 300 it will be your child or grandchild.

Thank you.
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by sharlynn48 November 8, 2012 3:26 PM EST
Rodgers is a great, intelligent guy. Football is lucky to have him. But this was not a good profile. The E:60 profile (last year I believe) was much better and more in depth. These days when journalists profile someone they pick up on one thing- sometimes an inaccurate or misleading 'thing' (hey look- I figured him out!)- and make it a big deal while glossing over or ignoring other more important issues and stories. I just don't get that approach. The interview left us hanging. They should have spent time talking about the MAACC Fund.
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by audemus November 6, 2012 4:33 PM EST
In a game infested by prima-donnas and unsavory characters, it's refreshing to learn of someone as seemingly decent and honorable (AND athletically gifted), as Aaron Rogers. He's a class-act first, and a great football player second. Speaking for Packer fans all over the world, we are mighty proud he plays for us.
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by billrehn November 5, 2012 9:49 PM EST
I also thought it was a great segment on Rodgers, well mostly. I was actually the guy that met him at the Milwaukee event. For the record I think 60 Minutes and Rogers made the event and our meeting sound like it was a negative one. I found Aaron very genuine and down to earth. I meant no disrespect by my comment on his height. It was all in good fun. I have to say I was disappointed by Aaron's response on the segment. You would think at his level of success he would be above such lack of clarity. And also for the record, I am just over 6'.
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by Forty-Four November 5, 2012 9:49 AM EST
Go Lions!

Sorry, I can't stand Rodgers after the crap that was pulled last season
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by JamesMyer November 5, 2012 9:29 AM EST
Great to be a Cheesehead. cheeseheadzone.com
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by docfred November 5, 2012 8:56 AM EST
Green Bay, Wisconsin - the greatest town in America. Having grown up in Green Bay and living 3 blocks from old City Stadium and hanging out with some of the Packers from the 1950s, there is no comparison to the pride I feel about my hometown. I saw the 1961 Packers trounce the big city New York Giants, and it meant that even little guys can win. The NY press was on strike for that game, and the little newspaper, the Green Bay Press-Gazette, sent extra papers to New York. As I traveled around the country before the league expanded, every place that did not have a team called the Green Bay Packers their home team. The Packers are truly the one any only America's team, and Green Bay, Wisconsin is truly America's town.
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