Aaron Rodgers has yet to take a snap in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform, but his presence is already moving merchandise. And both fans and skeptics seem to be buying it up.
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According to a report by Joe Lister of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rodgers-themed T-shirts have become a surprise hit with Steelers fans this summer. Some are buying them out of excitement for the four-time MVP's arrival. Others, not so much.
Danielle Dudas, who helps run a local shop selling Rodgers gear, said some customers are making their feelings known from the moment they walk in.
"Some people are like, 'I want a shirt just so I can burn it,'" Dudas told the Post-Gazette. She added that several buyers go out of their way to say how much they dislike the quarterback.
The shirts are reportedly outselling other gear thanks to their relatively low price compared to official jerseys, which many fans may be hesitant to purchase for a player entering what could be a one-year stint with the franchise. Still, the brisk sales speak to Rodgers' polarizing reputation, not to mention the intrigue surrounding his arrival in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers joined the Steelers this offseason following two injury-plagued seasons with the New York Jets and a Hall of Fame-worthy run in Green Bay. The 40-year-old will open his Pittsburgh tenure with three games that could shape the tone of the season — at the Jets, home against the Seattle Seahawks, and on the road against the New England Patriots.
If Rodgers performs well, many of the NFL doubters may be won over. If not, the noise (and possibly the bonfires) will only grow louder. For now, whether out of admiration or animosity, Steelers fans are making sure they have the shirts to match.
