By Darragh Culhane

Copyright irishmirror

Guinness, Rory McIlroy, and Geopolitics were on the mind of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he landed in Dublin on Friday. The four-time MVP will hang up the cleats at the end of the season, and despite seeing it all during his illustrious career, he was in a jovial mood speaking about his first time in Ireland. “I have family history going back to Ireland and Scotland. I always wanted to get over here,” he told the media at Carton House. “If I could have chosen, we would have gotten over on Monday, Tuesday as a day off, and go out and see some things. It’s a beautiful country; it seems like it from the pictures. I’m a historian, so I know the area’s geopolitical history. I’ve been to Northern Ireland, and it was great.” The Steelers have well-known Irish roots, with deceased owner Dan Rooney serving as Ambassador to Ireland under Barack Obama’s Presidency. Rodgers insists the trip’s importance is not wasted on him. “I’m just one part of it. I know that he was the Ambassador to Ireland. Art [Rooney II] spoke at the start of this week about how excited he was to get over here and be a part of this game. I know how much it means to him and his family. “There are specific games where it means a little bit more, in this case, when the owner has such love and affection for Ireland.” Rodgers (41) insists that he will have some Guinness while in Dublin after hearing promising things. “I like my Guinness on tap, but I haven’t seen any around here,” he told reporters. “A few years ago [in Northern Ireland] I had to go to four different bars to find Guinness on tap. I am hoping that’s not the case tonight. I’m a huge fan of Guinness—that’s not a bullshit line; it’s the truth. I’ve heard it tastes different off the tap in Ireland than in the States. I’m excited to see what it tastes like here.” Despite rooting for Team USA in the Ryder Cup this week, Rodgers also doffed his cap to Rory McIlroy. “He’s a transcendent player,” added Rodgers. “I’ve never played in his group, but I’ve played behind him in a practice round before. “I know he’s done a lot for golf and a lot for Northern Ireland. I got to know Graeme McDowell as well. I’m not going to say I’m friends with Rory, but I’ve met him a few times, love his game, and usually I’m pulling for him, but this week not as much.” But Rodgers’ tourist attitude was contrasted with that of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who is strictly business this week despite the Steelers’ roots in the country. “It’s certainly an opportunity to educate the Steelers about the late great Ambassador Rooney and his passion for the place and his vision for this game, and we’ve done some of that, but largely, the work we do here is business as usual.” And despite the NFL’s reputation for sweating the little stuff, Tomlin says the side won’t scout Croke Park ahead of the game. “As long as the field is 100 yards and all of that stuff and the conditions are the same for both teams, we care very little.”