Afternoon State Sports Briefs - 12-12-12 is Packer's #12 Aaron Rodgers Day

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GREEN BAY - Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he’s humbled and honored that the state of Wisconsin would give him a special day.

The Legislature approved a resolution earlier this year that proclaims 12-12-of-12, December 12th of this year, as Aaron Rodgers Day in Wisconsin. Green Bay area lawmakers presented the resolution to Number 12 today during a news conference at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers, the NFL’s reigning MVP, said quote, “It’s a great opportunity to give perspective on how a career and the way you live your life can have an impact on the society you live in.” Rodgers says fans should wear a championship belt if they have one, or at least imitate his signature move by putting their hands in front of their waists.

Employees are encouraged to wear Rodgers’ jerseys to work on December 12th, if their bosses will let them. But Rodgers himself will get no breaks on that day. December 12th falls on a Wednesday and Rodgers expects to be banged around in a padded practice to get ready for the Bears in Chicago the following weekend. Jennifer Brilowski of Stevens Point is credited with coming up with the idea of an Aaron Rodgers Day on 12-12-of-12, and promoted it constantly on Facebook. She read the resolution at today’s news conference. Brilowski said the tribute started as a joke, but she’s glad it became reality.

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A high school junior who gave her verbal commitment to the UW Green Bay women’s basketball team has decided to follow the team’s former coach to Illinois. Mikaala Shackelford of Hopkins Minnesota said she really enjoyed Coach Matt Bollant and assistant Mike Divilbiss when she visited Green Bay last fall. And they’re the main reasons she decided to join them at Illinois starting in the fall of 2013. Shackelford is a 5-10 guard who averaged 10 points and four rebounds a game last season, before she tore an ACL ligament in her left knee in January. She’s expected to be ready in time for her senior year at Hopkins. When Bollant left Green Bay, he said he would not take any Phoenix recruits with him for next fall but he didn’t say anything about the years after that. Shackelford plans to sign a letter of intent at Illinois in November.

Tags: sports, packers, football