On the Packers calendar today is the American Century Celeb-Am Tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nev. where Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Hawk, Mason Crosby and former Packers Sterling Sharpe and Jim McMahon will be taking part in the golf tournament...

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not have won the NFL's MVP award or even been voted into the Pro Bowl, but he win an ESPY last night as the Best NFL Player given by ESPN. "Rodgers won the Best NFL Player award, but that was announced during the 'pregame' show on the red carpet and was not shown on stage," writes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "The Super Bowl MVP was also nominated for Best Male Athlete, but was beaten by Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki." Rodgers beat out teammate Clay Matthews in the Best NFL Player Category. The ESPYs may be a self-serving award show intended to promote the ESPN brand, but I will say this, there are few if any awards given out that take into account both the regular season and postseason combined, and I think last night's ESPY award to Rodgers did just that. If you're looking for the silver lining, there it is.

Aaron Rodgers also received some extended face time last night by handing out an award. "Justin Timberlake and Super Bowl MVP/Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers handed out the award for Best Male College Athlete to BYU basketball guard Jimmer Fredette," according to PopStar.com.

To wrap up the Aaron Rodgers-related ESPY portion of today's Daily Links, he was also included in a joke by host Seth Meyers in unassuming fashion. As part of his monologue, Meyers congratulated Rodgers on winning the Super Bowl and escaping Brett Favre's shadow. And according to Copeland in a blog post, "Meyers added: Which, to thanks to cellphone technology, is not as big a shadow as we originally thought." *Rim shot*

In one more blog post from Kareem Copeland, he describes the role linebacker Clay Matthews played in a skit aired during the ESPYs last night. "Matthews participated in a skit with host Seth Meyers and two actors portraying the couple photographed kissing on the ground during the Vancouver riot after the Stanley Cup finals," writes Copeland.

The Packers were nominated for an award in the Best Team category at last night's ESPYs, and several other Packers were in attendance as well. "I counted at least seven Packers players in attendance: Rodgers, Matthews, linebacker A.J. Hawk, receiver Greg Jennings, receiver Jordy Nelson and linebacker Desmond Bishop," writes Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. The Packers lost out on the Best Team award to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.

As Acme Packing Company points out, Charlie Peprah, Jarrett Bush and Sam Shields were there in person as well.

As part of the ESPY awards, ESPN uses the platform to raise funds for the Jimmy V Foundation that funds cancer research. One of the auction items was the Green Bay Packers Lambeau Leap Experience. The winning bid of $100,000 was made by Packer fan and cancer survivor Gary Newell. "Newell said he was watching the auction on ESPNU on Wednesday when he decided to bid on the Lambeau Leap Experience," reports Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The experience includes a tour of the stadium, tickets to the game, pre-game field passes and more." That's a very generous bid by Newell. I hope the Packers treat him like a super star for a day.

Also appearing at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's website was news that the Packers made Forbes' list of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. "The Green Bay Packers, playing in the smallest market in football, is ranked as the 20th most valuable sports franchise on the planet," writes Don Walker. "The magazine says the Packers are valued at $1.02 billion." Soccer's Manchester United was no. 1 overall while the Dallas Cowboys were the no. 1 football team and no. 2 overall.

Linebacker Nick Barnett acted as a guest instructor at the Dwan Edwards youth football camp in Billings, Mon. this past weekend, according to the Laurel Outlook. “Linebackers are the loudest on the field, everyone in the stands should hear what we're yelling to our teammates!” Barnett is quoted as telling the campers. Former Packer Derrick Martin also helped out as an instructor as well.

After appearing on Miami (Oh.) University's All-Decade team, the Lancaster Eagle Gazette got reaction from tight end Tom Crabtree. He also clued in readers to his offseason workout regimen. "I'm lifting, running. I've been able to get on a field at a local college, running routes," Crabtree is quoted as saying. "I'm just trying to stay in shape for whenever (the lockout) ends." He also said he was honored to be named to the school's All-Decade team.

A hypothetical Packers 4X100 relay team is posted at ESPN.com's NFC North blog consisting of Sam Shields, Randall Cobb, Davon House and Charles Woodson. As a former track coach who pays attention to such things, this probably wasn't the best combination of players. Seeing as Jarrett Bush was an college all-conference honoree in track, he probably makes the list along with Nick Collins and Greg Jennings. At his age, Woodson certainly wouldn't cut it anymore.

An interview with quarterbacks coach Tom Clements appears at Packer Report (subscription required). "Green Bay's quarterbacks coach, Tom Clements, talked about Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell during a brief break at the Packers Hall of Fame Golf Classic," writes Bill Huber.

Rumors that Nnamdi Asomugha could sign with the Packers in free agency persist.

Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley are "working out" with children at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison on Saturday.

Acme Packing Company made note of $7 million the Packers owed to the NFL in 2010.

Aaron Rodgers refused to sign a piece of Dallas Cowboys memorabilia.

The Packers receive some attention in an article about offseason preparations at Packer Report (sub required).

Ryan Grant is commented upon at Acme Packing Company.

The lockout is frustrating Packer fan Amanda Lawson of Aerys Sports.

Vic Ketchman answers his mailbag at Packers.com.

Jerry Kramer should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, according to Al Bracco of AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Video: Here's the footage of Jerry Kramer calling Drew Brees "stupid" on WBAY-TV in Green Bay...

Brian Carriveau is the editor of the Maple Street Press Packers Annual. To contact Brian, email [email protected].