Aaron Rodgers emotional after Steelers win, | Sports News

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has revealed it was “pretty emotional” making his return to the NFL Playoffs following a three-year hiatus, after a nail-biting win in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers edged out the Ravens 26-24 within the common season finale, securing the AFC North Division crown and incomes a Wild Card home matchup with the Houston Texans on Monday, Jan. 12. Rodgers inked a one-year contract with the Steelers during the offseason and efficiently guided them to postseason play, incomes himself a $500,000 bonus within the course of. The achievement comes after an underwhelming two-season run with the New York Jets, which concluded following Aaron Glenn’s appointment as head coach. Rodgers appeared surprised after the sport whereas additionally exhibiting emotion, deflecting questions concerning his NFL future.

The playoff thriller reached a dramatic climax when Ravens kicker Tyler Loop’s potential game-winning subject purpose sailed large, which might have knocked out the Steelers and handed Baltimore the AFC North championship. Loop’s essential miss got here after Steelers kicker Chris Boswell had earlier missed an additional level attempt. The lead swapped fingers 4 instances during the ultimate quarter as each division rivals battled for supremacy and a playoff spot. Rodgers was noticed jubilating on the sidelines after initially showing dejected on the bench when Boswell’s miss put the Steelers’ hopes in peril, reviews the Mirror US.

Following the sport, Rodgers was questioned in regards to the intense ending in Pittsburgh by NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark. “That sucks. That’s the worst part of this game,” Rodgers shared with NBC Sports.

“I’d rather have the ball in my hand.”

Rodgers was accompanied on the sector by T. J. Watt and Cam Heyward and expressed his gratitude for the 2 stars. “We haven’t made it easy for ourselves most of the year. But it was a huge lift having this guy come back (TJ Watt),” Rodgers continued.

“This guy (Heyward) had a great pregame talk that got us focused. On offense, we didn’t handle our business in the first half, but in the second half, we came out with a different focus. We went down and scored.”

When requested what this meant to him personally, the four-time MVP responded, “It’s pretty emotional, honestly. It’s been a great year, so I’m thankful for these guys and excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a while.”

The NFL veteran was then probed about his future, as Rodgers has hinted at retirement a number of instances, and solely signed a one-year contract with the Steelers. When Stark requested if Rodgers would “ride off into the sunset” after this season, he answered, “No, it’s just been a grinding year, and the two years before that were tough as well. “It’s been an absolute blessing to be right here, with these followers and this group, and Mike T (Tomlin), and the leaders we have. I believe we simply discovered that little bit of one thing particular, which is perception tonight. I’m proud of our guys and the best way we responded within the fourth quarter.”

The Ravens held a 10-3 advantage at the break, with wide receiver Devontez Walker finding the end zone for the only first-half touchdown. Steelers running back Connor Heyward punched in a one-yard score in the third quarter, before Boswell kicked a field goal to put Pittsburgh ahead.

The advantage shifted multiple times in the final quarter, as Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers hauled in two touchdowns, while Kenneth Gainwell and Calvin Austin found pay dirt for the Steelers. Ultimately, the AFC North matchup came down to the kickers. When Stark pressed Heyward about his motivational pregame speech, he responded: “I used to be simply saying, ‘Let’s be a little bit egocentric tonight, we’re enjoying for everybody in that locker room.'”

“We dedicate our lives to this, and everybody got here to play. It wasn’t only one particular person. It was a workforce effort. Was it fairly? No. But we acquired the job performed.”