http://www.wbay.com/Globa...fault&clipId=5476575
Packers Fan with Cancer Shocked by Criticism of Aaron Rodgers
Updated: Jan 17, 2011 6:23 PM EST
Jan Cavanaugh Jan Cavanaugh
By Marcie Kobriger
Last Friday, an Action 2 News report featured a breast cancer survivor seeking Aaron Rodgers's autograph as the Packers were departing for Atlanta. Video of the Packers quarterback walking past the woman as she held out a hat for him to sign went viral -- and Rodgers came under fire.
The woman at the center of the controversy says she's shocked and upset by comments critical of Rodgers's actions at Austin Straubel airport.
Jan Cavanaugh and her husband are die hard Packers fans. The pair is often at the airport to see the team off for away games and on the edge of their seats when the Packers play.
When she talks about the team, Jan includes herself on the roster, referring to the Packers as "we."
"We sat yesterday and watched the whole game, and we're so excited that we're going to play the Bears," she said.
But her excitement over an NFC Championship match-up has been tempered.
Aaron Rodgers and other players didn't autograph her cap as she saw them off to Atlanta -- but it's not the hat she's upset about, it's the Internet and radio chatter created by the video of Rodgers passing her by.
"I was terribly upset this morning because I did not realize what was online, and opened up my email," she said, "and I was just shocked."
The video has drawn criticism but the only people Jan is critical of today are those creating the chatter.
"I am very unhappy with people making so much out of this, because this really isn't that big of a deal. It's up to the players to decide who they want to give an autograph to, and that's their prerogative."
Just a week earlier, Rodgers autographed Jan's pink jersey bearing the number 12 as the team departed for Philadelphia. A few years ago the now-star quarterback signed a number of things for her, too.
Jan says they've kept everything players have signed for them except for a few items they gave to family members.
While she is distressed over the controversy, Cavanaugh won't let it dampen her excitement for the packers.
"We're really big football fans and the Packers are our team, and we just think that this is the team to root for, so Go Pack Go!"
Mike Florio is a damn D-Bag for this one.
