When star quarterback Aaron Rodgers joined the New York Jets, he surprised everyone by agreeing to restructure his contract, taking a whopping $33.7 million pay cut. The 39-year-old athlete saw this decision as a testament to his commitment to the team and its vision for the future. Rodgers shared his thoughts on the decision and shed light on how it will benefit the Jets in the long run.
Rodgers’ Commitment to the Franchise
Prior to the restructuring, Rodgers was set to earn nearly $110 million over the next two seasons. However, he willingly signed a new, fully guaranteed two-year contract worth $75 million. While the pay cut is substantial, Rodgers expressed contentment and confidence in his decision. He understood that in the modern NFL landscape, there are numerous player transactions, trades, and opportunities to bolster the team’s roster throughout the season. By taking a significant pay cut, Rodgers aimed to send a clear message to the organization that he fully supports their vision for the football team. He believes that this move will help the Jets be more agile in acquiring valuable players when opportunities arise. The renegotiated contract allows the Jets to allocate more resources to potential trades and signings.
Eyes on the Prize
Aaron Rodgers is optimistic that the $33.7 million he left on the table will help the Jets secure valuable assets and talent. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, they aim to strengthen their roster and make a deep run in the playoffs. With Rodgers’ willingness to put the team’s success above personal financial gain, the Jets find themselves in a favorable position to be active participants during trade deadlines and capitalize on opportunities that arise throughout the season.
Why It’s More Likely for Younger Siblings to Make Better Athletes?
Venus and Serena Williams are only one of the many siblings who compete at the highest level of their sport. The presence of so many brothers and sisters in professional sports has led to the discovery of an interesting phenomenon known as the “little sibling effect”.
Many Athletes and Sports Were Studied
It shows that younger siblings have a significantly higher chance of becoming elite athletes. Researchers have demonstrated their findings in a comprehensive analysis that encompasses 33 sports in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Their study compared athletes who were competing at the senior international level and discovered that in most cases the better sportsperson is the later-born child.
This proved to be true for both male and female athletes, but the phenomenon is known to be more distinctive in women’s sports. For example, both Venus and Serena Williams played tennis at the highest possible level. Both won numerous Grand Slams and international accolades. But it’s an undeniable fact that Serena is way ahead of her older sister with 23 Grand Slams as opposed to 7 Grand Slams.
Another interesting discovery was made with the U.S. women’s national soccer team, which is regarded as the best in their field. The research showed that around 75% of the players, including the world-famous Mia Hamm, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan, had an older sibling. Only 20% were the oldest child and just 5% were a single child.
Michael Jordan Was Motivated to Best His Siblings
Experts explain the “little sibling effect” by highlighting the desire of younger siblings to match their older brothers and sisters. This was the case with basketball icon Michael Jordan, the fourth of five children and the youngest of the three boys. When little, his brother Larry was considered to be the better basketball player. It was his desire to do better during their one-on-one games that gave Michael his drive to excel.
While younger siblings have a greater chance to succeed, this doesn’t give them any guarantees. Work, work, and work, and a little bit of luck are also necessary for children to become pro athletes.