Aaron Rodgers snarks back at “woke mob” who would criticize his vaccination options

There have been all kinds of discussions regarding Aaron Rodgers contracting COVID, the fact that as an unvaccinated player, he’ll be out at least this Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, and what kind of personal, criminal, and civil liability Rodgers and the Packers might face if Rodgers went against the league’s COVID safety protocols for unvaccinated players, and how the Packers could be liable if they knowingly let Rodgers violate those protocols.

There’s still a lot to unpack before those outcomes come to light. Rodgers has faced widespread criticism for his filmy defense of his vaccination status, saying in August that he had been “immunized” when asked during a press conference if he had been vaccinated.

During a Friday appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Rodgers blasted right out of the gate with a repudiation of the criticism that came across… well, a bit elevated. That would be the professional way to put it. That he managed to hit MAGA bingo in one paragraph might be the unprofessional way to put it.

“I realize I’m in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now so before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I’d like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies out there,” Rodgers said. I’m not some sort of anti-vax flat-earther. I’m somebody who’s a critical thinker. I march to the beat of my own drum. I believe strongly in bodily autonomy. Not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture or some crazed group of individuals.”

Rodgers said that he is allergic to an ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna shots, and that he went away from the Johnson & Johnson shot after clotting issues forced the company to recall their vaccine for a short time. He also said that he consulted multiple medical individuals, though I don’t know how right-wing podcast dude Joe Rogan got in the mix.

There is a lot of information on the vaccines, but you have to know where to look. If you’re seeking an alternate path? Well, Rodgers has every right to do that, but he also has to follow all protocols, whether he likes it or not.

Which he says he has.

Rodgers confirmed that he petitioned the league to accept his “alternate” treatments, and the league refused. He said that the league and the Packers knew of his status, and the league’s insistence on a vaccination protocol was more about “outing players” than any sort of science.

Rodgers also said that the discussion has become too political while also making the discussion more political.

Rodgers also expressed encouragement to second-year quarterback Jordan Love, who will make his first NFL start in Rodgers’ stead.

We can argue over what responsibilities Rodgers has to avoid spreading misinformation as a highly public figure, just as we can argue that Rodgers has every right to avoid the vaccine for whatever reasons as long as he follows the protocols. The league is currently investigating whether that is so. As to Rodgers’ timeframe to return to the field, the first day he’d be eligible with no more positive tests would be Saturday, November 13 — the day before the Packers face the Seahawks at Lambeau Field.