NFL insider Ian Rapoport dropped a bombshell on Wednesday morning, reporting that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is unvaccinated against Covid-19 and is listed as “out” for this weekend’s huge game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Furthermore, ESPN reported that Rodgers has tested positive for Covid and that the NFL has considered Rodgers unvaccinated since the season started. That was extremely confusing considering that Rodgers previously said that he was vaccinated. Or at least, he said that he had been “immunized” when asked back on August 26.
“There’s guys on the team that haven’t been vaccinated,” Rodgers added at the time. “I think it’s a personal decision, I’m not gonna judge those guys.”
It turns out that Rodgers received an “alternative treatment” for Covid in Canada before training camp, before petitioning the NFL to allow that to count as an approved vaccine. The league ultimately said no. And because of that, now that he has tested positive, the Packers quarterback must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days and cannot return until Nov. 13 at the earliest, assuming he is asymptomatic.
This revelation also means that Rodgers has been breaking protocols all season long, standing on sidelines without a mask, and many others. It’s unclear if he’s been admonished for them.
It’s a stunning turn for the season’s strangest media circus. Rodgers came into the NFL season mired in drama between him and the Packers. He silenced critics with his play on the field and plenty of wins. He’s made his opinion known on a lot of topics and remained in the spotlight while doing so.
Last week, after a taunt against the Bears, was widely appreciated, Rodgers went on a weird rant about “woke culture” all because one person associated with the franchise didn’t like it. It was the kind of misguided discourse that comes from someone who doesn’t like the idea of being criticized by even one person.
For his sake, we hope Rodgers doesn’t check social media this week because he is getting absolutely roasted over his deception.
https://twitter.com/andrewsharp/status/1455927357773172737
In very plain terms, yes, this is exactly what Aaron Rodgers was doing https://t.co/s3wXdrEWlq
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) November 3, 2021
It’s a stunning turn of events that could not only change the trajectory of the Packers season but also Aaron Rodgers’ career in Green Bay. Definitely more to come on this wild story. And as for the anticipated showdown between Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, we’ll just have to wait and see if that happens another time.
[Ian Rapoport, ESPN]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.