Aaron Rodgers Opens Up About Family Issues, Claims He Had to Be His Own Parent
In a candid new Netflix docuseries, Aaron Rodgers reveals the deep-seated family issues that have plagued him since his high school days, well before his relationship with Olivia Munn. The New York Jets quarterback discussed the emotional challenges he faced, stating, “When family life is rife with dysfunction or separation, you often find yourself having to reparent yourself.” In the second episode of “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma,” which debuted on Tuesday, the 41-year-old reflected on his upbringing and the lack of affirmation he received, expressing a longing to hear, “I’m proud of you.”
Rodgers opened up about the estranged relationship he maintains with his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, asserting that he effectively raised himself during pivotal moments in his life. He shared, “I had to figure out how to be my own parent and remind myself that it’s okay to not be perfect. I’m proud of who I am and what I’ve done.” He emphasized the importance of self-forgiveness, admitting, “I was just trying my best, even if it often felt like it wasn’t enough.”
The NFL star elaborated on how he began distancing himself from his parents during his teenage years due to their strict Christian values. “The love I experienced was conditional. It felt like a merit-based spirituality where you struggle to receive love if you feel unworthy,” he explained. This realization contributed to his struggles with self-esteem, as he often felt inadequate in his parents’ eyes.
Rodgers also touched on how using plant medicine has been transformative for him in his journey toward self-acceptance. He has previously made headlines for his exploration of ayahuasca and other plant-based psychedelics, which he credited as significant teachers in his quest for self-love.
In addition to his personal battles, the docuseries hints at the toll his controversial anti-vaccine stance has taken on his relationships, suggesting a fallout with friends and family as a result. Reflecting on these losses, he admitted, “It was heartbreaking.”
While Rodgers attributes the roots of his family struggles to his teenage years, his father, Ed, has asserted that the rift began when Aaron started dating Munn in 2014. In a sportswriter Ian O’Connor’s book, Ed claimed, “We had a great relationship. Nothing bad was happening.” He denied any prior conflicts, dismissing Munn’s assertion that Aaron had ceased communication with his family eight months before their relationship began as “a lie.”
Despite the differing narratives, Aaron has maintained that Olivia Munn was not responsible for the family tensions, clarifying that their disagreements were “deep-rooted.” The couple dated for three years before parting ways in 2017, but the impacts of their relationship continue to linger.
Rodgers’ revelations in “Enigma” unveil not just the struggles of a public figure, but the complex layers of familial relationships that shape the person behind the fame.
