Earning the trust of a future Hall of Fame quarterback is no easy task for an NFL rookie, but Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard has found a unique way to bridge the gap with Aaron Rodgers, passing weekly pop quizzes.
Appearing on “The Christian Kuntz Podcast,” Bernard revealed that Rodgers puts him through rigorous pop interrogations during team meetings to ensure the 22-year-old receiver is fully prepared for Sunday.
“He interrogates me every single week,” Bernard shared. “We go into the offensive meeting, he's like, 'All right, Germ, you're up.' And he just he's like, 'All right, name the players on their defense. Name the scheme on their defense. Name these plays and the game plan.'”
Rather than wilting under the intense pressure
of a 20-plus-year veteran, Bernard embraces the pop quizzes as a sign of respect and a crucial step in his professional growth.
“What I've learned from that is like he wants us to be prepared and know what we're doing and what we're going to see,” Bernard explained. “For him to be up there to ask me questions like that, it means something to me. So, I take that task very seriously.”
Part of what makes the dynamic work is Bernard’s refusal to treat Rodgers like an untouchable icon. While many young players walk on eggshells around the four-time MVP, Bernard treats him like any other teammate.
“A lot of people would come in and be afraid of him,” Bernard noted. “He’s a great quarterback and Hall of Fame and everything, but I look at him how I look at everybody else. From everybody he gets, 'Oh my gosh, Aaron Rodgers.' I'm like, 'What's up eight? What up, bro?'”
That fearlessly casual approach, combined with a relentless work ethic, has accelerated Bernard’s mental game, helping the rookie turn film room interrogations into Sunday production.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: How Germie Bernard earned Aaron Rodgers' trust in team meetings
