The Green Bay Packers have made the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons, and in five of the last six season, they won the NFC North. This season, however, the North is wide open for the first time in a long time.
Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback in the division right now, the Vikings have the best defence in the NFC North, Chicago is somehow getting wins with a rookie at quarterback, and the Packers are preparing for their first of many (probably all) games without Aaron Rodgers this season.
As all football fans know, Rodgers broke his collarbone in Week 6 against the Vikings after Anthony Barr rocked him.
Rodgers didn't think the hit was clean or legal, and when he got up off the turf, he let Barr know that with some NSFW language.
Rodgers wasn't the only Packer that felt strongly about the hit:
We've heard from Rodgers and company, but what about Barr's take on the hit? As per the Green Bay Press-Gazette, here's what he told reporters on Friday:
“By no means was I trying to take out Aaron Rodgers,” Barr told reporters in Minnesota on Friday. “He’s one of, if not the best, player in this league. I’m not a dirty player. I don’t play dirty. We don’t preach that around here. It’s unfortunate, the injury. I hate to see anybody get hurt. I know how hard you work each week to prepare to be able to play. It’s a gift and a privilege to be able to play on the field each week, so I would never try to take that away from anybody, let alone one of the best players in our game.
“I think it’s a dirty play in some people’s eyes because of the injury. I think if he gets up, we’re not having this conversation. I wish him a speedy recovery. One of my favorite players to compete against, to play against. I got the utmost respect for him and the whole entire Packers organization. So I would never try to injure anybody, especially their quarterback.’’
“Everybody has their own opinion,” Barr said. “A lot of people are saying a lot of different things. I know my intent was not to injure. I know I’m out there trying to play as hard as I can as fast I can to the best of my ability every time I touch the field.
“I hate to see anybody injured. I didn’t really realize he was injured until he kind of was walking off the sideline. I wish him a full and speedy recovery.’’
Barr, along with many other analysts (and players we'd imagine) didn't think the hit was dirty and it was classy of him to wish Rodgers a speedy recovery.
Furthermore, Barr was not fined for the hit, so clearly the NFL agreed with him that the hit was clean. He was, however, fined for a different hit during the Vikings' Week 6 win.
Brett Hundley will make his first career start on Sunday when the Packers host the Saints.
(H/T: FTW)
