Elite Traveler Fall 2023

“I never dreamed of all of the other great and incredible opportunities that come with success and that can make life a little bit di ff erent”

re fl ected for a second, admitting, “I didn’t know all of this came with it. I never dreamed of all of the other great and incredible opportunities that come with success and that can make life a little bit di ff erent.” The photo shoot Rodgers was in the midst of throughout our interview was for Zenith watches so, naturally, our conversation turned to timepieces. He said the fi rst watch he ever bought himself was an inexpensive Nixon with a big wooden dial. “I had no money and it wasn’t expensive, but it was still a big purchase for me back then. I loved wearing it because I felt classy. I still have it and I even wear it sometimes as a reminder of how things can change, of the lessons you learn in life and of the experiences you gain as you move on. And now I get to wear so many great Zenith watches.” At the time of the photo shoot, Rodgers was wearing the black ceramic Zenith Pilot Automatic watch. Regarding his role as brand ambassador, he emphasized the importance of representing not just the products, but the people behind the brand, too. Rodgers had traveled to Switzerland in 2022 to visit the Zenith Manufacture in LeLocle — an experience he says resonated with him. “I didn’t know what to expect, but when you see the watchmakers who have been there for decades and you see how passionate they are, and what goes into the making of the watches, it’s powerful. I couldn’t help but, through

osmosis, get fi red up about being part of the brand.” Rodgers, who said he loves history, was also attracted to Zenith’s unique past: In the 1970s quartz era, watchmaker Charles Vermot hid the plans and tools needed to create the brand’s top mechanical calibers that the new brand owners were going to destroy since quartz watches were paramount at the time. After lugging everything to the attic of the manufacture, he lined the items up against a wall and built another wall in front — sealing them away until the future. “I was so fascinated by that history of how one person can change the trajectory and course of life. Nobody else can tell this story, and yet so many can respect it.” Rodgers is also passionate about philanthropic endeavors. And while he is involved in a host of causes, he often does so anonymously. He has worked with organizations like Make-A - Wish, Compound Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and others. “I have also worked with Wounded Warriors over the years. My grandfather was in the military and I have a lot of friends who have served, so it is important to me. I have a lot of respect for men and women in uniform. In general, though, I try not to be associated with just one speci fi c cause. I like to branch out and help with a number of di ff erent things. I prefer to fi nd things I can do anonymously; these are the things that sit on my heart the best. I

don’t need recognition, but sometimes I will let the causes use my name in order to bring more focus on the topic or the charity. But being anonymous is really ful fi lling.” With his move from Wisconsin to New Jersey, and his transition from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets, Rodgers says he is living the dream. “It feels good. I grew up in a small town. I played 18 years in a small town. I am a big city guy. It feels good to be here. I am looking forward to great things,” he said with a smile. When I asked about how he would like to be perceived as a person, Rodgers was sincere: “I don’t need everybody to like me. Sometimes in life, we care so much about people liking us and maybe not enough about people respecting us. I’d like to be respected more than liked. If they both go hand in hand that would be spectacular, but so much of this world is a popularity contest — how many likes can I get on social media, how many people are going to follow my page. That’s great; it’s made our world so much more interesting and connected in so many ways, but I’d like to be thought of as somebody who shoots from the hip, who is authentic and who is willing to stand up for what I believe in. Hopefully that leads to respect.”

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Photos Courtesy of Zenith