NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he would take on the role of the new Jeopardy! host if the show could work around his football schedule.
In an interview taped before Mike Richards announced he would be stepping down as Alex Trebek's replacement, Rodgers told NFL.com's Adam Schein that he "definitely would've" accepted the gig had it worked around his schedule with the Green Bay Packers.
"Yeah, I definitely would've," Rodgers said on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio. "I mean if they would have figured out a way to make it work with my schedule, yeah, for sure."
Rodgers, who is a self-described super fan of the show and of Trebek, guest-hosted Jeopardy! in April for two weeks. He went on to campaign for the full-time position, saying he would be able to pursue both careers because the show only films 46 days a year.
"That was so much fun. That was just so much fun," Rodgers said of his time on the show. "I spent a lot of time studying and getting ready for it. I definitely wanted it, was interested in finding a way to make it work with my schedule and their schedule and filming. But I had such a blast. I have zero regrets with how it all went. It was such a special environment. It was surreal to be on that stage."
He continued, "When you're just a super Jeopardy! fan like I am, it's just so special to be on that stage, to be in that environment when you know you're walking in the footsteps of legends."
Rodgers described hosting the show to walking out onto the Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, saying the tunnel to the field features bricks from the old stadium and the history of former Packer legends.
"Every now and then, you've got to look over at it and pinch yourself and just realize how special it is what you're doing right now and how many greats have been in that position right here," the quarterback said. "And there was a lot of those moments being on stage thinking about Alex, and how much he meant to me and so many people worldwide who spent their evenings with him for so many years."
The search for a new Jeopardy! host picked up again on Friday after Richards stepped down as one of two hosts picked to permanently fill the late Trebek's shoes just nine days after he had been selected.
After the appointment, new reports emerged detailing sexist and other inappropriate comments Richards, who also serves as a Jeopardy! executive producer, had made when he was a podcast host in 2013 and 2014. He was quoted as making disparaging remarks about women, Jews and other groups, which led the Anti-Defamation League to call for an investigation.
"In the meantime, we will be bringing back guest hosts to continue production for the new season," Richards wrote in an email to the show's staff.
