Aaron Rodgers feels like he was guided to this moment.
The new Jets quarterback appeared on “I am Athlete” with former NFL star Brandon Marshall, who asked him about how he weighs whether to continue playing football or pursue his many other spiritual and educational interests.
“I really trust in the universal signs and synchronicities, and when they’re all pointing and speaking in a certain direction, I just have to trust that this is the path I’m supposed to be on,” Rodgers said.
“From the moment I got out of the darkness,” he continued, referring to his four-day darkness retreat in Oregon this past February.
“This was the signs and synchronicities that were happening in my life, that this was going to be an opportunity that was going to be really special, and that this was going to be a super-growth opportunity for me personally — the opportunity to impact the people in the direct circle of my life, the new friends I’m gonna make in this, the fan base, and to be a part of something really special.
“I just have to trust what I’m seeing around me, that this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Rodgers previously told Pat McAfee that when he entered the darkness retreat, he was 90 percent sure that he would be done with football — a remark that reportedly gave Jets owner Woody Johnson pause on firing on the trade with the Packers.
Marshall followed up to Rodgers’ answer about the guidance he’s received from the universe by asking the quarterback how much longer he intends to play football.
“I think it’s important to think where you’re at in the moment and be present, because I think I need to be present for my team, the coaching staff and the organization, but as long as it’s fun,” Rodgers said.
“We’ve played this game since we were kids, and it’s a business. It’s an incredible profession. It’s a really tough business, though. When it starts to feel like a job, and not a fun game, then it’s probably time to walk away.
“But right now it’s still fun. It’s still something that gets me up in the morning, that gets me excited about putting the time in, that gets me excited about the next chapter — this journey that we’re going on. So as long as it’s fun, I’m gonna keep playing.”