Almost all of us have an athlete or athletes in our lives.
We certainly know people who are politically active. Many of us are not too far removed from someone who might have a “healing” interest in psychoactive plants.
But do you know a high-level athlete who was asked to run for vice president and publicly uses mind-altering plants with his teammates in his sport?
The new 3-episode documentary series “Aaron Rodgers: A mystery“, highlights a man who arguably fits that bill.
The series’ opening episode is a mystery in itself.
Comprised of engaging stock footage of NFL broadcasts combined with a real roll of practices, huddles and lockers, the theme tells its own story. The production seems to fade to the sidelines — a powerful storytelling move — as it retells a story that fans may at least partially recognize.
Others will be fascinated to see what happens for the first time.
In the final two episodes, events become so personal that the opposite dynamic works. Here, by invitation only, the production offers special shots that may surprise almost everyone.
The film “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” reflects a person’s confession that he is pulled between his extroverted and introverted life. The production style of going from these two extremes – public video and private video – without filling much of the middle line, allows Enigma to reserve judgment.
It gives fans space to analyze and make the call on Rodgers.
Some may want “Enigma” to throw the flag or raise the ball in disapproval or support of Rodger’s activities, but the series swallows the whistle and lets our minds play.
“Enigma” revives memories of how Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and All-Pro quarterback, held the Packers to or beyond Brett Favre’s levels of excellence. This docuseries makes us wonder if Rodgers has found himself lumped in as an individual behind Green Bay’s green and gold for seamlessly continuing Favre’s legacy.
The series then chronicles how Rodgers spoke out about human rights and could have been on the ballot for 2024 if he wanted to. In that political season, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s interest in Rodgers as his running mate suggested that Rodgers could influence the entire American body politic without waging a propaganda campaign.
“Enigma” traces how Rodgers frustrated journalists by challenging his independent views, some of which developed from the lessons he gained at Berkeley, no less.
Third, “Enigma” travels with the explorer Rodgers, whom no one can follow for several weeks – in a “seclusion”. Another irony is that red-blooded American football player Rodgers and his fellow Major Leaguers are using liquefied rainforest vines for mysterious purposes.
The viewer may wonder if their retreats are the use of a technically questionable substance. The series raises and revolves around similar questions.
Rodgers claims that his family turned away from him due to a lack of mutual understanding. “Enigma” expands on the glimpses people have had of Rodgers in order to provide a better understanding of him, but it adamantly refuses to force people to do so.
Viewers who want Rodgers’ status to be in line with other “Renaissance” athletes may be disappointed. Is Rodgers a Bill Bradley transition from sports to politics, but someone who challenges the status quo?
Is Rodgers a Tom Brady with a different, but also infamous, protocol regarding longevity and health? Is Rodgers a Darryl Strawberry with a completely different ministry? (By the way, kudos to Strawberry for overcoming drug abuse that was definitely not a cure and for reaching out in a big, energetic way to help others.)
Rodgers may be the “Zen master” of quarterbacking what Phil Jackson was of steel training, but he is more politically expressive. Does the mystery surrounding Rodgers make him the maverick athlete of the era par excellence?
Regardless, Rodgers is a unique public figure in American life, young enough to barely get started. Which Cut the Achilles tendon in four clicks Rodgers’ first game with the New York Jets left a huge gap in viewers’ expectations of how Rodgers would complete his football career.
He finds himself in the relationship amidst stardom, national controversy, and personal development.
In addition to his connection down the field, Rodgers’ impact off the field could become much greater. “Enigma” does not provide a definitive answer regarding Rodgers’ plans with the Department of Health and Human Services, which RFK Jr. is supposed to lead.
Rodgers has certain feelings that Enigma allows him to reveal about improvements in nutrition and health freedom, considering how the political system sinks into the background during chronic illness, drug overuse, and attacks of government overreach.
It wasn’t just the move from the Midwest media sports market to New York City that catapulted Rodgers to the next level of publicity. Instead, Rodgers is increasing his national influence on his terms and by walking through a door of his own making.
As the first quarter of the decade winds down, we’re really running with the ball as the media ourselves for perhaps the first uncommon time. The real mystery is what untapped abilities can be awakened in us?
Spiritual interests grow and diversify as we search this world, and God has “many palaces in His house,” so Enigma seems biblically wise in refraining from judging the crushed South American vines that Rodgers drinks at festive times.
However, many drinkers of the vine, in one form or another, find a time when they can say, “Enough,” and let go, as biblical wisdom also instructs.
“Enigma” plays with the idea that the entire courage to dare, whether in sports or media, rests on the premise that we ultimately give up the mundane. Right now, perhaps the most independent and mysterious thing we can do to gain significant yardage is to sincerely develop our calls.
“Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” shows that from gaining talented teams around you, welcoming politicians who come after you, attracting a film crew to share what’s unique about your story, and keeping the rare friends who walk with you whether you’re at the bottom or the top – you never know what or Who would go the extra mile for you.