The Green Bay Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 on Christmas Day by the score of 24-22.
The Lambeau Field faithful were eager as always but even more so when Aaron Rodgers threw his first touchdown pass of the game to Allen Lazard.
With this touchdown pass, Rodgers broke Brett Favre‘s franchise touchdown record with the 443rd of his legendary career.
HISTORY MADE! 🙌@AaronRodgers12 throws his 443rd career touchdown pass, breaking Brett Favre's franchise record. #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/Zb3PWSUMt9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 25, 2021
Amid the celebration at Lambeau which included a prerecorded message from Favre himself challenging Rodgers to win another Super Bowl for Green Bay, many wondered where the record setting football would go.
Congrats, 1️⃣2️⃣
A message from @BrettFavre to @AaronRodgers12!#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/0mtt0u0t8v
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 25, 2021
Joe Buck of FOX Sports quickly informed the television audience of the record shattering ball’s final destination.
Ball Is Going Into Surprising Hands
Rodgers was sending the touchdown ball to none other than Brett Favre’s grandson.
Favre’s 11-year-old grandson Parker is a huge fan of Rodgers.
Favre's grandson knows great QBs.
(via @BrettFavre) pic.twitter.com/kEraqQgPcT
— ESPN (@espn) June 30, 2019
As Buck said on air:
“Believe it or not, this keepsake and career touchdown pass number 443 is going to Brett Favre’s grandson, Parker, if you can believe that. And if Parker’s anything like Papa, he’ll be out there throwing it in the yard next week.”
Another Item Of Note About The Ball
Given all of the hoopla about Rodgers breaking Favre’s record on Christmas Day at home, you would think that the medallion placed on the ball would be correct.
Think again.
Eagle-eyed television viewers noticed that the number on the medallion said 433 instead of 443.
No word on if that error will be fixed before the ball gets into Parker’s hands.
One small problem… that commemorative ball says 433, not 443 for Rodgers record-breaking touchdown pass. pic.twitter.com/kgMgXWDd3O
— Shannon The Dude (@ShannonTheDude) December 25, 2021
Rodgers Looks Primed To Throw Many More
Even with a broken pinky toe, Aaron Rodgers has the precision and accuracy with ball placement that his predecessor did not have.
Rodgers can put the ball in tight confines where only his receivers can catch it.
Go head, @AllenLazard!
Nice little one-handed snag for the #Packers!
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/VODGhdllNI
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 25, 2021
He is also not akin to throwing interceptions and is hard on himself when his passes are incomplete.
As long as he is upright, the Packers have an excellent chance of contending for the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl.
1️⃣2️⃣ to 1️⃣7️⃣ for the 6️⃣6️⃣th time! 🙌@AaronRodgers12 & @tae15adams are now the most productive TD duo in #Packers history, surpassing Rodgers & Jordy Nelson. #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/VkZfySWRo3
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 25, 2021
His connection, in particular, with Davante Adams is the stuff legends are made of; they connected for their 66th touchdown on Saturday surpassing Rodger’s record with Jordy Nelson.
Packers In 2021
Currently, the Packers are the top seed in the NFC.
They are eager to wrap that up to ensure a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Packers have a home game against Minnesota in Week 17 and go on the road to Detroit to close out the 2021 regular season.
Rodgers’ broken pinky posed a problem at times in the Browns game when players inadvertently stepped on the toe.
A bye would certainly help him rest that and could give the Packers time to figure out how to defend the running game; the Browns had plenty of Christmas Day success running the ball despite coming up short on the scoreboard.
NEXT: Matt LaFleur Makes NFL History Thanks To His Star