"I can remember the first time I started a game in college and heard the anthem and ... talk about an absolute thrill," Rodgers said. "We were in Champaign, I was playing the University of Illinois, who I wanted to go to out of high school. I was playing for Cal, and I just always think about that moment and how far I've come from there."



Patrick was quick to point out how crushing Rodgers' admission has to be for Illinois fans.



"I went out to their team camp, and they didn't offer me," Rodgers said. "They didn't offer me a scholarship."