Aaron Rodgers, a name synonymous with football, had quite an unexpected encounter with the world of game shows. The star quarterback was nearly appointed the host of the beloved TV quiz show, ‘Jeopardy!’, following the untimely demise of its long-time host, Alex Trebek.
According to the show’s erstwhile producer, Mike Richards, Rodgers was seen as a strong contender for the full-time hosting job, impressing many with his stint as a guest host.
“Aaron was the most prepared guest host,” says Richards, a significant compliment considering Rodgers was among a lineup of seasoned TV professionals including Anderson Cooper, Bill Whitaker, Savannah Guthrie, George Stephanopoulos, LeVar Burton, and Robin Roberts.
Not only was Rodgers well-prepared, but he was also reportedly a pleasure to work with, winning over the staff with his affable demeanor. Thus, the football star was seen as a serious contender to fill the immense void left by Trebek.
Rodgers seemed confident about managing both his hosting duties and his football career. When questioned about his plan for this potential challenge, Rodgers was reportedly nonchalant, suggesting that the ‘Jeopardy!’ team would find a way to make it work.
However, despite Rodgers’ strong candidacy, the job ultimately went to Mike Richards. This decision, however, was short-lived as Richards was soon replaced by ‘Jeopardy!’ champion, Ken Jennings, and actress Mayim Bialik, following a swift dismissal due to some controversial comments made by Richards in the past.
An interesting mention by Richards was Katie Couric, whose hosting style brought a unique flavor to the quiz show, adding a new dimension to the candidates considered for the job.
Speaking about his infamous exit from the show, Richards dismissed many rumors, stating that numerous half-truths led to his departure from the entertainment industry.
“I didn’t pick myself for the job. A panel selected me for the role in 2021,” he clarifies, addressing one of the main controversies surrounding his appointment and subsequent exit.
Despite his dismissal, Richards holds no grudge against his replacements. He even confessed that he always considered Ken Jennings to be the perfect candidate for the role.
