Does Aaron Rodgers think he's too good to eat what the fine people of Wisconsin eat? One can only draw that conclusion from a recent story that the Packers quarterback has eliminated dairy and a lot of meat from his diet.
I know Rodgers is a California native where that kind of thing is celebrated, but is that even legal in Wisconsin?
Per ESPN.com's story on Rodgers, who says he has shed 12 pounds and is down to 218: "Through your eating, you can reduce inflammation because if you do research, you learn the different foods you eat can actually increase the inflammation in your body and especially in certain parts of your body," Rodgers said.
(Let's back up a minute for a quick break from the at least half-satirical tone. Rodgers said he is cutting out dairy and eating a mostly vegan diet in an effort to lose weight and cut inflammation. As someone who has also cut way down on his dairy consumption for anti-inflammatory purposes, I can't seriously criticize Rodgers. If it works for him — and it sounds like it does — then it's all good).
Now, back to the semi-legitimate question of just how this news will play out in a state that boasts "Dairyland Delight" fridge magnets. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board released a statement to Action 2 News saying in part that it was "disappointed" by Rodgers' decision and adding in part that he may "need to be careful to consume the important protein and calcium he needs for strong muscles and bones."
On ESPN.com's story, you can find comments such as "trade him" and a classic well, actually comment that reads: "Studies show that dairy fat is actually better for your health than a diet without dairy fat. Stick to using your arm instead of trying to use your brain, Aaron."
Some Packers fans probably will ignore the story or even applaud Rodgers for making a lifestyle change he believes will benefit his performance. But for others, I imagine this will become another negative bead on the scale of Rodgers vs. Brett Favre.
As strange as it sounds given that Rodgers is a statistically superior QB to Favre and has won a Super Bowl just like his predecessor, there is a decent-sized segment of Green Bay fandom that clings to the gunslinger as the epitome of quarterbacking. For the Wisconsin fan base, Favre is the far more relatable character and player.
