Aaron Rodgers has often introduced himself to Monday Night Football audiences as having attended Butte Community College. This week, he gave a major shoutout — and a seven-figure gift — to his alma mater Cal.
The donation will fund locker room renovation and seed a scholarship fund for junior-college transfers like himself. The "Aaron Rodgers Football Locker Room" will be completed by fall, and the "Aaron Rodgers Football Scholarship" will be awarded annually, according to CBS Sports.
"We are thrilled and grateful that Aaron is making this important investment in the Cal football program," said head coach Justin Wilcox, who was the Bears' linebackers coach while Rodgers was at Cal. "Aaron's gift will help provide our student-athletes with a tremendous place to gather and prepare for all our football-related activities. It will also be great to show recruits visiting our campus a top-notch space and the level of support our program has from one of the greatest to ever play the game."
Rodgers was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection at quarterback in 2004 after leading the Bears to a 10-2 season. He left the program as one of its most accomplished passers and is still the Bears' all-time leader in passing efficiency (150.3). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the surprisingly low 24th pick of the 2005 NFL Draft and went on to be named Super Bowl XLV MVP in 2011. He was league MVP in 2011 and 2014. The 2019 season will mark Rodgers' 12th as the Packers' starter.
"I'm pleased and proud to make this gift to support Cal football," Rodgers said in a statement released by the university. "My years at Cal were among the best years of my life. My time in Berkeley created lasting, unforgettable memories. Coach Wilcox was on the coaching staff when I was a Bear, and I am excited about the team's direction with Justin pointing the way. He is a tremendous football coach and an even better role model for his players. I hope that my contribution can help him move this program forward."
