All about Aaron Rodgers’ parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers

Ed and Darla raised Aaron and his two brothers in Chico, Calif.

NEED TO KNOW

• Ed and Darla Rodgers raised sons Aaron, Luke and Jordan in Chico, Calif.
• Ed played football in college, while Darla was on a cheer squad
• Aaron publicly reunited with his parents in July 2026 after years of estrangement

Aaron Rodgers was born and raised by his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, in Chico, Calif.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback developed a love for football at an early age, partially due to his dad playing the sport in college. Meanwhile, his mother, Darla, was a dancer and former basketball player who also credits herself for giving him some of her athletic genes.

Ed and Darla, who married in 1980, resided in Chico and welcomed three boys together: sons Luke, Aaron and Jordan. All three brothers took an interest in football, which often resulted in the them being “competitive with everything,” Jordan recalled in a 2012 interview with Vanderbilt University.

In the midst of Aaron’s blossoming career, he became estranged from his parents and brothers. The estrangement became public in 2016 when Jordan appeared on his now-wife JoJo Fletcher’s season of The Bachelorette and alleged that Aaron had distanced himself and didn’t want to appear on the family episode (Aaron claimed he was never invited).

Ed told The New York Times in 2017 that Aaron had not spoken to his family since 2014. Years later, Aaron confirmed that he was back on good terms with Ed, Darla and Luke by posting several photos of them “bonding” on Instagram on July 20.

Here’s everything to know about Aaron Rodgers’ parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers.

Ed and Darla married in 1980

Ed was originally from Lompoc, a small town in Southern California, when he moved to Chico to attend Chico State University, according to a profile in The New York Times. While he was there, he met his future wife, Darla.

The couple married in April 1980. To celebrate his parents’ 45th wedding anniversary in April 2025, Luke posted a photo of Ed and Darla on their wedding day.

“The example you have set and legacy your love and commitment to Jesus and each other has created is more than an inspiration. Love you mom and dad,” Luke captioned the throwback picture.

The couple went on to welcome son Luke in 1982, Aaron in 1983 and Jordan in 1988. In addition to their three children, Ed and Darla are also grandparents.

Ed is a former football player and chiropractor

While at Chico State University, Ed played as an offensive lineman for the team.

After finishing school, Ed struggled to launch his football career. He briefly played for a semi-professional California League team in Marysville where he won back-to-back national championships, per The New York Times.

Ed excelled in medicine and became a chiropractor after years of school. He went on to found his own practice in Chico, which specializes in sports injuries. Aaron has previously credited his father’s work for helping him perform his best.

“Performing at my best is important to me and should be to everyone,” he said in 2018, per Ascent Chiropractic. “I am blessed that my dad is a chiropractor. Getting adjusted regularly – along with practicing other good health habits that my mom helped me to establish – are all part of my goal to win in life and on the field.”

Darla is a former dancer who credits herself for her son’s footwork

Although Aaron may have learned football from his father, his footwork may have stemmed from his mother. Darla was a basketball player and dancer in a cheer squad.

“I think that my guys did get some of my dancer qualities,” Darla told FOX6 in 2013. “You have to know where you are in time and space when you’re dancing, and they definitely are running for their lives. They know where they are in time and space to be elusive, and I think that I kinda gave them some of that.”

They share three sons

Ed and Darla remained in Chico for most of their lives and raised the boys there.

“I think we’ve tried to create a real family situation, and close to our family, where our boys can talk to each other and we can encourage each other, and it’s just the way our home was developed — to have a real relational home,” Ed told FOX6 of raising their kids.

Ed has described Aaron as “really humble and extremely confident”

Despite the hardships between Ed and Darla and Aaron, the parents have spoken positively about their son.

“He was the middle child, and he was very good. Very straight and narrow. Didn’t cause any trouble,” Darla told FOX6.

Ed further told the outlet, “He’s definitely handled things better than I think anybody could. I’m not sure I could handle things that well. The adversity he’s gone through is pretty amazing. Even as parents we’ll stand back and watch how he handled everything, and I thought it was pretty remarkable.”

Meanwhile, Ed told The New York Times that he “knew Aaron had a special gift” as a football player but didn’t know the extent he could take his talent.

“Aaron has always had this interesting combination of being really humble and extremely confident,” Ed added.

Read the original article on People