GetCelebrity Editorial
VP Speculation
Aaron Rodgers passed on a vice-presidential slot with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on May 22, 2024, after a reported meeting about joining the independent presidential bid.[1] Kennedy announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate that same day, following Rodgers' decision to stay with the New York Jets for the 2024 NFL season.[1] The quarterback's name surfaced in campaign talks amid his public stances on vaccines and health, drawing parallels to Kennedy's platform.
Hail Mary Origins
Roger Staubach coined the term "Hail Mary" on December 28, 1975, after throwing a 50-yard game-winning playoff pass to Drew Pearson against the Minnesota Vikings.[1] Staubach later recalled closing his eyes and saying a Hail Mary before the throw.
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-14 in that NFC divisional round game, advancing to the conference championship."I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary."
— Roger Staubach, 1975-12-28[9]
Rodgers' Record
Aaron Rodgers completed three successful Hail Mary passes in NFL games over a 13-month span from 2015 to 2016.[1] In the 2015 NFC divisional playoff, he threw a 61-yard Hail Mary to tight end Richard Rodgers for a game-winning touchdown against the Detroit Lions, securing a 15-0 final score in the Miracle in Motown.[3] That pass traveled 66-68 yards in the air, landing in the end zone with seconds left on the clock.[3]
The quarterback followed with a 42-yard Hail Mary to wide receiver Randall Cobb just before halftime during the Green Bay Packers' wild-card playoff win over the New York Giants on January 7, 2017.[1] Rodgers' throw against the Giants nearly hit the rafters in MetLife Stadium, tipping off a defender's hands before Cobb caught it for a touchdown.[4] Staubach dubbed Rodgers "Mr. Hail Mary" after that performance.
"Aaron Rodgers is Mr. Hail Mary now."
— Roger Staubach, 2017-01-13[2]
Campaign Talks
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Aaron Rodgers as a "critical thinker" and "battle tested" in a Fox News interview on May 21, 2024, fueling talk of a potential vice-presidential pairing.[2] CNN reported the next day that Kennedy had met with Rodgers to discuss the running mate role for his 2024 presidential campaign.[1] Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, opted to focus on football instead, citing his commitment to the Jets amid their 7-10 record in 2023.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024-05-21 | Kennedy called Rodgers a critical thinker in Fox News appearance.[2] |
| 2024-05-22 | CNN detailed Rodgers-Kennedy meeting on VP possibility.[1] |
| 2024-05-22 | Rodgers confirmed declining the offer to play for Jets.[1] |
| 2024-05-22 | Kennedy named Shanahan as running mate post-decline.[1] |
Playoff Impact
Rodgers' 2015 Hail Mary propelled the Packers to a 26-21 upset over the Lions, their first playoff win since 2014 with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter.[3] The 61-yard completion marked the longest game-winning Hail Mary in NFL postseason history at that point, covering 41 yards from the line of scrimmage.[3] Green Bay advanced to face the Arizona Cardinals in the next round, finishing the season with a 10-6 regular-season mark.
In the 2017 wild-card game, the 42-yard toss gave the Packers a 21-13 halftime lead en route to a 38-13 victory over the Giants.[1] Rodgers completed 14 of 21 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in that outing, including the Hail Mary at the 0:03 mark of the second quarter.[1] The win snapped a three-game playoff skid for Green Bay, who entered as the sixth seed with an 11-6 record.
Praise and Decline
Kennedy's May 21 comments highlighted Rodgers' resilience after the quarterback's Achilles injury in the 2023 season opener, limiting him to four snaps with the Jets.[2] The independent candidate, polling at 9% nationally in May 2024, sought a high-profile partner to boost visibility in the three-way race.[7] Rodgers, 40 years old, prioritized recovery and the 2024 NFL campaign over political involvement.
Shanahan, a philanthropist and tech executive, joined Kennedy's ticket hours after Rodgers' rejection, solidifying the independent slate for the November 5 ballot.[1] The announcement came one day after Kennedy's Fox interview, where he listed Rodgers among potential VP fits alongside figures like Dwayne Johnson.[2]
Term Evolution
Staubach's 1975 pass traveled 50 yards on a fourth-and-31 play from the Cowboys' 44-yard line, tying the game before Minnesota's missed extra point.[1] The term, rooted in Catholic prayer, entered football lexicon after that Vikings loss, with Staubach confirming its origin in postgame remarks.[2] Over four decades later, Rodgers executed the feat three times, surpassing Staubach's single iconic throw in frequency.
Rodgers' 2016 Hail Mary against the Lions aired to an average of 31.7 million viewers on Fox, the most-watched NFL playoff game since Super Bowl XLIX.[3] The play's 66-68 yard air distance set a benchmark, with the ball arcing high enough to evade the secondary completely.[3] NFL Films later ranked it among the top 10 playoff moments, citing the 1:13 clock drama.
Political Angle
Rodgers appeared on Kennedy's radar after shared appearances on podcasts discussing health policies, though no formal campaign ties emerged.[8] The quarterback's 2023 Joe Rogan podcast episode drew 11 million YouTube views, amplifying his views on vaccines aligning with Kennedy's anti-vax stance.[8] Kennedy's campaign, launched in April 2023, aimed for 15% in polls to qualify for debates, with Rodgers' star power eyed as a draw.
Post-decline, Rodgers returned to Jets minicamp on June 10, 2024, fully cleared after seven months of rehab on his Achilles.[6] The team holds the No. 10 draft pick from 2024, focusing on Rodgers' 18th season with a $35 million salary cap hit.[6]
What we couldn't confirm includes any ongoing involvement of Aaron Rodgers in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign, direct speculation tying Rodgers' Hail Mary passes to the political bid, or details on romantic relationships, partnerships, financial deals, or medical diagnoses between the two.
Kennedy's ticket files FEC paperwork by August 2024 for ballot access in all 50 states. Rodgers starts the NFL preseason on August 10, 2024, with the Jets facing the Commanders.
Sources
- [1] Verified Hail, yeah: How Aaron Rodgers' prayer put the Giants to bed - ESPN — espn.com
- [2] Verified The Art of the Hail Mary: Why Rodgers is so successful with NFL's ... — si.com
- [3] Reported Miracle in Motown - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org
- [4] LOOK: This is how close Rodgers' Hail Mary came to hitting the rafters — cbssports.com
- [5] Aaron Rodgers' Amazing Hail Mary: The Miracle in Motown! - YouTube — youtube.com
- [6] Aaron Rodgers says he passed on VP opportunity because ... - ABC30 — abc30.com
- [7] Reported RFK Jr. praises Aaron Rodgers amid VP speculation as quarterback ... — abcnews.go.com
- [8] NFL's Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary For 2024 Presidential Election — uk.investing.com
- [9] Aaron Rodgers and the “Hail Mary” - tom perna — tomperna.org
Frequently asked questions
When did Rodgers reportedly meet with RFK Jr. about the vice-presidential slot?
Rodgers reportedly met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on May 22, 2024, to discuss the vice-presidential slot.
Why did Rodgers ultimately decline the offer to be RFK Jr.'s running mate?
Rodgers declined the offer to stay with the New York Jets for the 2024 NFL season.
Who did Kennedy announce as his running mate after Rodgers declined?
Kennedy announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate on May 22, 2024, after Rodgers declined.