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How the NFL's Aaron Rodgers became a meme superstar

The Green Bay Packers quarterback became a meme king after his team's comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Terry Collins Staff Reporter, CNET News
Terry writes about social networking giants and legal issues in Silicon Valley for CNET News. He joined CNET News from the Associated Press, where he spent the six years covering major breaking news in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before the AP, Terry worked at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis and the Kansas City Star. Terry's a native of Chicago.
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Terry Collins
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had plenty to celebrate after leading his team to a nailbiting NFL playoff win Sunday.

 Joe Robbins, Getty Images

For a few hours, NFL star Aaron Rodgers was trending worldwide Sunday and there were plenty of memes and GIFs why.

Moments after the Green Bay Packers quarterback orchestrated a miraculous 34-31 comeback win Sunday over the Dallas Cowboys, Twitter erupted. Fans on the social network began praising Rodgers for his draw-up-the-play-in-the-dirt playground sideline-tightrope pass to tight end Jared Cook, setting up teammate Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal.

So with all due respect to this weekend's three other NFL divisional playoff games, nothing topped the Packers-Cowboys clash. In case you missed it, here's arguably the game's biggest play, Cook's catch:

And some hoping and wishing before Mason's game-winning kick:

And the instant classic moment itself:

Which quickly led to this meme of Rodgers sprinkling what's now become a symbol of losing, the infamous "Crying Jordan":

What, did you really think one was enough:

This one of Rodgers carrying Cowboys stars Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, along with Dallas owner Jerry Jones, sums up the vibe of most Packers fans:

Even TV talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres was showing some love for Rodgers:

Here's one jubilant fan after the Packers won:

And finally, here's Crosby's thoughts after winning the game: