Aaron Rodgers stunned the world today as he announced that he would be retiring.  Unlike his predecessor, Rodgers said that “I would like to go out on the top of my game!” Rodgers has been plagued by injuries over the last few years, including several concussions.  

When asked why it was so sudden, Rodgers answered, “Because my mind is telling me yes, but my body…my body is telling me no!” Rodgers, who is the Super Bowl XLV MVP and has was the NFL MVP in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl 3 times and broke many records for the Packers.

Rodgers was unscouted from high school, where he went to small Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, CA.  He attended Butte College in Oroville, CA, just a few miles from home.  While there, a scout from Cal Berkely noticed him while scouting a wide receiver for Butte.  He was offered a scholarship and played 2 years for the Bears until drafted by Green Bay in the 1st round (24th pick overall).

Rodgers spent the first 3 years of his career as a backup to legendary Brett Favre.  He became disgrunteled and his relationship with Farve became strained when Favre begain his retirement, only to change his mind 2 more times. Favre ultimately was released by the Packers to end his career with the Vikings and Jets. During those next few years, Aaron Rodgers proved that he was the right man for the job.  He led the Packers to several playoff appearances, conference titles, and helped them to win Super Bowl XLV.

While Rodgers is known as a fairly calm and even-keeled spokesperson, he broke down several times during the press conference.  He even had to take a moment and really gather himself before uttering, “April Fools!”   

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When I started putting on alumni football games, I did so because of the positive side effects that alumni football had on me and my family. I saw a need for alumni football. Not only to play football one more time, but to reconnect with a part of me that I was missing.  

We have many examples of guys reconnecting with themselves, but I though I would introduce you to one of them.  This is Chad B and he lives in Eastern Kentucky.  

I recently saw this picture on Facebook and I couldn’t help but ask….Did Alumni Football have anything to do with this dramatic change?

Chad said, “It was one of the major contributors to the start of all this. I had been wanting to loose weight for some time. Friends had been doing it and trying to get me to do so. Then, the alumni game presented itself. I hadn’t done anything other than walk a few times before the first practice. So I started practicing, eating healthier, and next thing you know with the support if friends, dropped 43, still have a long ways to go though.”

With alumni football, guys not only get to relive old memories, but they take a glimpse back to what they used to be and know that they can be that person again. We cannot get younger, but we can all be healthier. Good job Chad! Keep up the good work!

In the final week of the preseason, the players on the bubble of making an NFL roster usually get their final chance to prove to the coaches that they deserve the chance to make the team. Coaches give them that opportunity, usually by sitting starters and regulars, and giving the younger guys on that bubble the chance to earn their spot.

With the cut day gone, many NFL players took advantage of that final game. One player that took advantage all preseason long was Redskins wide receiver Brandon Banks. Banks had a 91-yard return punt return, a 47-yard reception and a 43-yard rush in the preseason. His speed was on full display as the third-year player helped his cause to stay in the NFL.

Who do you think had a great performance in the preseason to help warrant their spot on the active roster? Did your favorite team cut someone that deserved a chance? Let us know.

With the rise of the jumbo video boards, the high-quality sound systems and the overall heightened stadium experience, many NFL fan bases are beginning to get quite spoiled with the amenities at many NFL stadiums.

Whether you think it’s necessary or not, many NFL stadiums are quite the spectacle and provide fans with an unprecedented experience on game days. But which stadium in fact gives the fans the best venue to watch an NFL game?

Could it be Cowboy Stadium in the land of Jerry Jones? Obviously the large video board and the enormous size of the venue makes it a football haven for fans. But don’t forget about Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which has created a great atmosphere and experience for fans visiting Colt country.

But even the old stadiums provide a unique experience for fans, including the great Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Packer faithful never seem to have trouble filling the iconic stadium, creating an old school feel, with a new school team.

Which NFL stadium do you prefer?

Who do you think is the top running back in college football?

Despite his incident over the offseason, it seems clear that Montee Ball is going to be back in full force in 2012 with Wisconsin. In an offense that has traditionally favored the running back, Ball comes into the season seeming like the clear-cut favorite to be the best back in the nation.

Ball had nearly 2,000 yards rushing and well over 2,000 all-purpose yards for Wisconsin in 2011. Despite running backs like Trent Richardson departing for the NFL, Ball decided to hold on for his senior season.

Is Ball the best in the nation? Or could it be Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina? Lattimore will face some of the top defenses in the nation in the SEC, but still managed to average five yards per carry in 2011 before being injured.

Stepfan Taylor is also a running back to watch in 2012, as the senior will benefit from the Stanford style of offense, and should get a lot of work with the departure of quarterback Andrew Luck.

No one really expected the Jacksonville Jaguars to be contenders right away in the AFC South. But in week three of the preseason, Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 266 yards on 27-of-36 passing in a 48-17 rout of the Jaguars on Thursday in Baltimore.

Granted it’s the preseason, but without Maurice Jones-Drew getting carries, the Jaguars don’t seem to be a serious threat in 2012.

The Ravens racked up 571 yards of offense – in a preseason game – with 433 yards passing in the game, while averaging nearly eight yards per offensive play, opposed to the Jaguars four yards per play. On the bright side, the Jaguars are getting a good look at rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who looks to be solidifying his spot as the top receiver on the Jaguars’ roster.

What do you think? Did someone else have a blunder this week?