Aaron Rodgers offered some encouragement to Geno Smith as the West Virginia quarterback dropped in the NFL Draft.
Though Rodgers attended Game 3 between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks and did not watch most of the first round, he was aware of what was going on. He decided to tweet some words of encouragement for Geno Smith, who had yet to be selected.
Hang in there Geno, “good things come to those who wait” -Paul Tagliabue
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) April 26, 2013
Smith was believed to be the top quarterback on most draft boards and the strongest possibility of all the QBs to go in the first round. However, that wasn’t the case. The Buffalo Bills selected E.J. Manuel No. 16 overall, making the Florida State product the first quarterback selected. Most teams considered this to be a weak quarterback draft, meaning they didn’t want to spend a first-round pick on a marginal talent. Rodgers recognized that Smith would likely fall to the second round and decided to lift up his spirits.
Rodgers, as much as anyone, knows what it’s like to sit in Radio City Music Hall waiting for your name to be called. He was thought to be a possible No. 1 overall pick in 2005, but the San Francisco 49ers took Alex Smith. Rodgers inexplicably fell all the way to No. 24 before the Green Bay Packers selected him. A Super Bowl and MVP award later, and Rodgers proved it’s not about where you get selected, but what you do once you get your chance.
It’s funny that Rodgers sent the note for Geno, because Smith tweeted during the week that he was fueled by his doubters. He’ll enter the league with a chip on his shoulder similar to Rodgers.
