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Aaron Rodgers delivers powerful message, gift to Bryce Young

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•06/08/23
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers quarterback
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young works during an offseason workout after being selected No. 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft. (Jim Dedmon / USA TODAY Sports)

By the time many top NFL Draft picks reach the league, they’ve already had quite a bit of experience dealing with fame and popularity. After all, many were the big man on campus for multiple years.

Certainly you’d figure a guy like 2021 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young would be used to it.

But ever since he became the No. 1 overall pick this spring, Young has had to adjust to his new life.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Young said. “I’m still adapting to it, honestly.”

And as part of a recent promotion with Fanatics, Young got a surprise he’ll likely remember for a long, long time. The kind of surprise that can keep you a little bit humble, knowing that even though you made it big in college, that doesn’t necessarily automatically translate to the next level.

Bryce Young took a seat in a mini locker room of sorts that Fanatics had prepared, while a projector played a message from an NFL great on the wall to his right.

It was Aaron Rodgers, offering some advice to Young.

“I really enjoy the way you carry yourself, man,” Rodgers said. “You’re going to learn that’s really, really important in this league.”

As the video finished playing, Young was urged to look under his seat, where there was a black Fanatics box sitting. He opened it and had a signed Aaron Rodgers jersey with a custom message on it.

Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama as a sophomore in 2021, putting up ridiculous numbers. He went 366-of-547 passing for 4,872 yards, with 47 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He wasn’t quite as productive as a junior in 2022, though a shoulder sprain caused him to miss some time and limited him during the middle portion of the season.

In 2022, Young went 245-of-380 passing for 3,328 yards, with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 185 yards and four scores.

His production and personality were enough to make the Carolina Panthers perfectly comfortable taking him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

And given the way he carries himself, Bryce Young already seems to have impressed one current NFL great.