Packers QB Aaron Rodgers last week said that he "agrees with the idea that NFL players should speak out on social issues," but he also believes that the league's culture "discourages its players from being more vocal," according to Jason Wilde of ESPN WISCONSIN. Rodgers "praised NBA stars" for calling on "athletes to promote social change" at the ESPYs. But in an interview with ESPN Wisconsin's "Wilde & Tausch" show last week, he said, "It's got to be natural, it's got to be authentic, and I think those guys did a really good job. It was a great message. ... We need more guys like that who feel comfortable speaking their mind." Rodgers added, "In the NBA, everybody is standing up for it, so the greatest players are in the forefront of the movement. Here in the NFL, the greatest players aren't in the forefront of the movement. ... The greatest players aren't involved like LeBron James, Chris Paul." Rodgers: "Our great players are sitting back just taking the dollars, whether it's Cam Newton, all these guys. They're not really on the forefront of trying to change what's going on." Asked whether he believed the NBA culture allows players to speak their minds more readily than the NFL, Rodgers replied, "One-hundred percent. ... It starts with leadership. ... (NBA Commissioner Adam Silver) has done a good job promoting that type of environment." He added, "Some guys in the NFL are probably worried about repercussions." Rodgers: "Those guys are doing it and they feel comfortable doing it. ... If more guys maybe did in our league, it would create a domino effect possibly" (ESPNWISCONSIN.com, 8/15). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio writes of Rodgers' idea that there is less of a social voice from players, "That's the way his league wants it" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/16).
