New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never been one to hold back his opinions, especially when it comes to matters like Big Pharma or Big Media. But this week, he gave NFL fans something new to talk about: his impressive vocabulary.
During his weekly media session, Rodgers discussed the Jets’ rocky season start, which has left fans and analysts speculating on the team’s future. While his press conference began typically, Rodgers surprised reporters by using unusually sophisticated words to describe his outlook on the season.
“Thankfully, we’re not to the denouement of this season,” Rodgers remarked confidently, slipping in a word that many in the room might not have been prepared for. “There’s still a lot of time left. It’s important that we all stay as sanguine as possible.” Not only did he manage to use “denouement” accurately, he also nailed its French pronunciation, which left reporters and fans alike impressed and a bit bemused.
For those unfamiliar with SAT-level vocabulary, “denouement” is a dramatic term meaning the final resolution of a story or the end, while “sanguine” refers to staying optimistic, even under tough circumstances. Rodgers’ linguistic choices didn’t go unnoticed, with some fans joking that he might be reading the thesaurus as much as the Jets’ playbook.
Given the Jets’ difficult 2-5 start to the season, his word choices added a layer of amusement to the otherwise somber situation.
NFL fans quickly took to social media, roasting Rodgers for his erudite phrasing. Posts poked fun at the quarterback’s attempt to inject SAT-level language into sports talk, with some suggesting he was prepping for a new career as a linguistics professor.
Others teased that while the Jets might struggle on the field, Rodgers is clearly excelling in vocabulary, dubbing him the “most literate quarterback in the league.”
As Rodgers balances the challenges of the season with his unique style and philosophical musings, fans continue to get a kick out of his press conferences.
Though the Jets’ season may not yet be at its “denouement,” Rodgers has, if nothing else, added an element of linguistic flair to the NFL.
