Aaron Rodgers and Michael Carter’s handshake may have a sketch-comedy inspiration behind it
It wasn’t long ago that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was seen doing a special handshake with second-year cornerback Sauce Gardner. Now, Rodgers has another handshake that’s sure to turn heads.
At Saturday’s training camp practice, Jets running back Michael Carter was seen giving multiple players handshakes before running off the field. Among the recipients was the 39-year-old Rodgers – and let’s just say it wasn’t your average handshake.
Aaron Rodgers’ handshake with Michael Carter #NYJets #JetsTrainingCamp pic.twitter.com/6oCmr0rLWh
— Michael Benjamin (@kingjon777) July 22, 2023
This isn’t the first time Rodgers was seen doing that “thrusting” gesture. In fact, he did it in 2020 after scoring a rushing touchdown (that was eventually overturned) against the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You can also see another current Jets quarterback, Tim Boyle, join the celebration.
Aaron Rodgers took a hard hit in the end zone, then he immediately got up and hit them with a "double pump." Absolute savage 😂 pic.twitter.com/fjDOyKSnrz
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 18, 2020
Rodgers and the Packers would go on to lose that game 38-10, but the quarterback’s celebration went viral.
The origin of the celebration stemmed from the sketch-comedy show Key and Peele, created by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. The show aired from 2012 to 2015 on Comedy Central.
Aaron Rodgers touchdown celebration for those who don’t know pic.twitter.com/2BtdW4IrsR
— Zach Viebrock (@ZachViebrock) October 18, 2020
The sketch was meant to poke fun at the NFL’s overly strict officiating on celebrations. Oftentimes referred to as the “No Fun League”, the NFL has become strict with the creativity of the players on celebrations. In the skit, Key’s character “Hingle McCringleberry” is flagged for an excessive touchdown celebration – where two thrusts are okay, but a third will draw a flag from the referee.
Long gone are the days when prop-filled touchdown celebrations occurred from the likes of Terrell Owens or Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson – or even the infamous “mooning” by Randy Moss in 2004.
Meanwhile, for Rodgers and the Jets, the hope is that the team is remembered for more than a handshake that happened in the offseason.
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