Most NFL QBs spend their NFL playoff bye week chilling out, prepping for the big game. Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell, however, spent their joining the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Wisconsin's St. Norbert College. It's a story the TKE guys at St. Norberts will remember for a long, long time. The details, via Larry Brown Sports and TKE News, is a must-read:

Via LBS:

Tom McAninch, the fraternity’s director of communications, tells LBS that both Rodgers and Harrell were loosely affiliated with the TKE chapters on their respective college campuses when they were in school. Rodgers went to Cal where apparently coach Jeff Tedford wouldn’t let him join because of his obligation to the football team. Harrell went to Texas Tech.

Before the season began, a mutual friend talked to the quarterbacks about college life, and the subject of joining the fraternity came up. When the two had time off last week, they called the fraternity to make it happen. They were initiated last Thursday.

 

Sadly, no word on what type of pledging last year's NFL MVP and Harrell had to endure. Gut instinct, since it's the playoffs and all, is that it was much tamer than your sleepless hell week.

via TKE News:

In the 18th hour of the fifth day in 2012, two great men joined Tau Kappa Epsilon. Fraters Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell, both quarterbacks for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, were initiated into the Sigma-Xi Chapter at St. Norbert College. A small group of collegiate and alumni Fraters helped with ceremonies to orientate them with the principles of TKE.

 

Aaron Rodgers is best known for his abilities on the field.Fraters Aaron, Dan, & Graham

•     Super Bowl MVP (XLV)
•     Super Bowl Winner (XLV)
•     2X Pro Bowl Selection (2009, 2011)
•     FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year (2010)
•     AP Male Athlete of the Year (2011)
•     He also holds several NFL and Collegiate Records

 

Graham Harrell is newer to the NFL, this being his second season with the Packers. However, his college career is nothing short of remarkable.

•     Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2008)
•     Heisman Trophy Candidate (2008)
•     The Sporting News 2008 National Player of the Year
•     AT&T All-America Player of the Year (2008)
•     First NCAA player to post multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons

Aside from all of the accolades, these Fraters are men of exceptional character, leadership and purpose. Between their volunteer and philanthropic endeavors with the NFL, Rodgers also works with the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Harrell is involved in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas with the Covenant Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s.

 

Whether it is outwardly fundraising to simply stopping by unexpectedly for a fan at a hospital, these men show how much of an impact a simple gesture can make. They are looked up to by countless men and women for their work on the gridiron, but should also be recognized for their off-the-field presence. Every Frater should be proud to call these men brothers in TKE.

 

A special thanks goes out to Frater Dan Zegers (pictured above with Fraters Aaron and Graham) and the Sigma-Xi Chapter for all of their hard work.