CFL all-star Reggie Begelton had a rare opportunity to witness the most dynamic quarterback-receiver tandem in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.
Begelton spent the 2020 season with the storied franchise and gained exclusive access to watch Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams behind the scenes.
“It’s like: ‘Wow.’ That connection Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams it’s crazy scary. The stuff you see in the games, you see it at practice too,” Begelton said.
Rodgers led the Packers to a 13-3 record in 2020 while leading the NFL with a 70.7 completion percentage, 48 touchdowns passes and 121.5 QB rating. It was an elite season for the six-foot-two, 225-pound passer which resulted in him capturing his third NFL MVP award.
“Off the field, he’s a great person — the most humble guy you will ever meet — Aaron Rodgers is a very good guy,” Begelton said.
“Everybody sees his persona on the field, but that’s how it’s supposed to be: he’s a winner. He goes above and beyond to do his job correctly and to the best of his ability, he expects you to do the same — it’s point blank.”
That approach is shared by his No. 1 target and it earned Adams the first All-Pro selection of his NFL career. The six-foot-one, 215-pound pass catcher recorded 115 receptions for 1,374 yards with a league-leading 18 touchdowns in 14 games last year.
“The fact that I was able to see this man work everyday, he came and he brought his lunchpail, it gave me inspiration. Outside looking in, you don’t know these people,” Begelton said.
“You’re like: ‘OK, is he arrogant? What type of person is he?’ You have that question mark and the first day of practice he came with it. The first time I saw him, I was like: ‘Oh, OK.’ I thought I worked hard, but this man worked.”
Adams was accommodating and helped Begelton improve as a receiver. He further developed his skills and learned how to practice professionally. Following re-signing with the Calgary Stampeders, the 28-year-old admitted he would entertain NFL opportunities in the future, but remains focused on winning a CFL title to finish the campaign in Canada.
“I’m with Calgary and we got a cup to go get. If you go back to 2019, I strongly believe that we had a chance to win it that year,” Begelton said.
“Winnipeg took us out and guess what? Winnipeg is up there again. There is some unfinished business — let’s ball.”