Aaron Rodgers Speaks With Peter King FOOTBALL MORNING IN AMERICA Debut Column

Peter King's new Monday morning NFL column "Football Morning in America" debuted today exclusively on NBCSports.com, and included a lengthy interview with Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who discussed his age, upcoming contract, 'Shark Week' and meeting the Dalai Lama.

The following are highlights from King's interview with Rodgers:

• On how long he wants to play for: "I'd love to play to 40. I just think that number means a lot. Obviously, Tom [Brady] is kind of rewriting the book. Brett [Favre] had a good season when he turned 40. My goal is be able to move like I do or close to how I do and still be able to do that at 40."
• On whether he has anything against Minnesota LB Anthony Barr: "I mean, I think it's time to move on for everybody. I had looked over just to see if maybe there was gonna be a thumbs up, or hey you okay? Or whatever. It's a league where you appreciate what we put our bodies through. I thought ... knowing that I wouldn't be on the ground unless it was a significant injury then maybe he'd be looking over, giving me a thumbs-up-you-okay? Or something. But it wasn't the case. We had some words exchanged on both sides."
• On his aspirations to remain in Green Bay for the duration of his career: "How many guys get to actually pick the way and the team how they go out? You know? Hardly anybody. You have to understand that's a real possibility. But yeah, my dream situation would be to stay in Green Bay."
• On participating in Discovery Channel's 'Shark Week': "The only reason I wanted to do the shark thing is I have two main fears: sharks and heights. I'm not gonna jump out of a plane. But sharks, I don't know. I watched "Jaws" when I was a kid and always felt like they're in the water, out in the ocean water, and one's got my name on its back and it's gonna munch on me. I wanted to conquer that fear because I love the water."
• On meeting the Dalai Lama: "We talked about his vision for the world and his global message of kindness and acceptance and togetherness. But he's funny. He makes jokes. He gets funny when he doesn't quite know the translation of a word. He'll ask his translators. He answered a couple questions. Fantastic. Surreal."

Read the rest of the column here.

A new "Football Morning in America" will post every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com. It was announced in May that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on NBCSN's and NBC Sports Radio's PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

Beginning July 21, King will resume his popular NFL training camp tour, filing his column from the road each Monday, and providing video or written reports from team to team throughout the preseason. His first stop will be to Chicago Bears camp in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Click here for more information.

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