While Kumerow would go on to become something of a folk hero among Packers fans because he played at Whitewater, it was Rodgers’ very public praise of Kumerow early on training camp — before many casual observers had even realized he was on the roster — that really ratcheted up the attention.

Rodgers went out of his way to praise Kumerow on Aug. 3, when he was in the middle of an answer about the Packers defense when he pivoted to praising Kumerow, saying he’d had a “fantastic camp” and that “you have to spotlight him” with how he’d played in practice.

“He’s made a ton of plays, did it all spring and summer and now he’s getting reps with me and making a ton of plays,” Rodgers said then. “He’s running the right route all the time and making contested catches and putting the ball away. It’s been pretty impressive for a guy from a small school in Wisconsin.”

While Kumerow wasn’t necessarily lacking confidence, Rodgers’ public praise elevated it to another level.

“That meant a lot,” Kumerow said. “Aaron’s the man. He’s the best to do it. So to hear that come from him, it’s an honor. And I just want to hear it more and more times — try and keep it up for him, try to keep things rolling. But it meant a lot.