AARON RODGERS has won an awesome award away from sport – just as the legend prepares for the final huge deal of his NFL career.
The quarter-back has been linked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings since the New York Jets released him.
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Rodgers, 41, could be edging towards choosing the Steelers after he reportedly visited their training facilities and met team coaches.
And whoever the Super Bowl XLV winner chooses, he’s sure to land a multi-million dollar contract.
It comes just as the former Green Bay Packers star has earned a major honour for his efforts in the community.
Rodgers has been named as the North Valley Philanthropist of the Year.
The Chico native has made seven-figure donations to help wildlife recovery and Covid-19 small-business funds.
Nearly 300 people turned up at the first-ever North Valley Community Foundation gala to hear the announcement selecting him.
Not only has Rodgers pumped huge sums into the area himself, he has attracted equally large amounts from other benefactors.
He was unable to accept the award in person as he was getting ready to host a charity flag football event in Southern California.
But he sent a video in which he stressed his belief in giving.
In the clip, Rodgers said: “I really appreciate this. I’m just trying to do my best to help out.
“I’ve been really blessed in this life and my goal is just to give back.
“I know there are so many people in the crowd tonight who are doing the same thing, every single day.
“This award means a lot to me but I share it with all of you as well and my beloved Butte County and Chico, California – always near and dear to my heart.
“Have a beautiful night. I’m going to keep on helping out and I hope you do, too.”
Many fans welcomed the award as they posted verdicts online like “Absolute King” and “He has a big heart”.
Other views included: “Didn’t see this coming” and “That’s very generous!”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has spoken out on talk that Rodgers is likely to opt for Pittsburgh.
The NFL insider reckons the icon “spent about six hours at the Steelers’ training facility today, meeting with their coaches”.
Schefter believes it was “a positive visit and the two sides will stay in touch.”
But he also suggested no deal is close at the moment.
