Rodgers will attend Favre HOF enshrinement
GREEN BAY - Travel arrangements are still being discussed, but Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers plans to attend Brett Favre’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night in Canton, Ohio.
The Packers face the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason opener one day later, and it’s unclear whether Rodgers will play in that game. Regardless, Rodgers will attend Favre’s induction speech, as well as tour the museum for the first time.
Favre likely will be last to speak Saturday night in a ceremony that includes former Packers defensive assistant Kevin Greene. Greene, a 15-year outside linebacker, will be presented by Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers.
“As a player,” Rodgers said, “it’s one of the highest honors to get that jacket on. I’m sure it’s exciting for both those guys. With Kevin having Dom do his intro and then Brett having his wife Deanna do the intro, it’s going to be really special to be a part of. It’ll be fun to see them accept that great honor.”
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Coach Mike McCarthy has yet to decide who will dress in the Packers preseason opener against the Colts, he said. There will be a meeting Friday to determine playing time.
His final media availability this week is Thursday.
McCarthy said arrangements are being discussed that could allow players who want to attend Favre’s ceremony to make the trip from Cleveland, where the team will stay this weekend. Several players have requested to be in attendance, McCarthy said.
“We’re working through the travels plans for that,” he said. “So there’s definitely a pretty good group going to Canton from Cleveland, and then after the ceremonies, we’ll go back to Cleveland, and we’ll do our Sunday game day schedule that we normally do on the road.”
Earlier Monday, Colts coach Chuck Pagano said each of his players will play Sunday in Canton, including quarterback Andrew Luck. Rodgers said he didn’t have a preference when asked about his availability for the Hall of Fame game.
“Whatever Mike has us do,” Rodgers said.
It appears the highlight of Rodgers’ weekend could be Favre’s speech.
“The excitement for me is being a part of the environment to watch Brett and Kevin go in," Rodgers said. "I don’t know if anybody’s real, real excited about a fifth preseason game, except for the people making the money on that. But it’ll be exciting to be there because there’s so much history and tradition surrounding Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Two very deserving guys. Kevin, I know, was disappointed a couple years ago when he didn’t get in, and guys that knew him were all pulling for him. And Brett, obviously, being a first-ballot Hall of Famer. There’s a lot to be said about that, and his career and the way he played, and it’ll be fun to hear the remarks.”
rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood