For much of the 2021 season, Aaron Rodgers’ COVID-19 vaccine status has persisted as one of the most baffling and controversial headlines in sports.
But as the Packers quarterback explained on Saturday’s “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, his infamous “I’m vaccinated” comment was actually a deliberate misdirection. .
Rodgers revisited the situation with Logan and discussed his choice of words when he revealed his status to reporters last August. I repeated why I did the “vaccination process with a holistic doctor” and told Logan that he was uncomfortable taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and that he was allergic to the ingredients used in Moderna.Pfizer – Glycol, or PEG.
Rodgers, who missed Week 9 after testing positive for COVID-19, headed into last summer’s press conference after learning the league had asked “a lot of other big quarterbacks” about vaccine status. He revealed his thought process to Logan.
“I’ve been ready for this question and thinking about how I’d like to answer it. did. If there is a follow-up, talk to me about my process,” Rogers said.
“But[I]thought I could say ‘I’m vaccinated.’ Maybe they’ll follow up.
Rodgers’ game with the virus came in November 2021 after apparently contracting COVID-19 from a fully vaccinated teammate. He was later fined by the Packers that month for attending a Halloween party with 18 vaccinated teammates. Rodgers also received criticism for holding press conferences in person without a mask during training camp and during the regular season.
Rogers told Logan he would face more criticism after reports emerged that he had contracted the virus.
“At some point, I knew I might have had to answer the question if I had COVID or the rumor spread because it’s the NFL and there are leaks everywhere.
“And that’s when the storm hit, because I’m a liar and I’m putting my community, my teammates, all these people in danger. And you know, I My words and sincerity began in my attempt to defeat the.”
With the NFL gearing up to make significant changes to its COVID protocol for the 2022 campaign, Rodgers will begin the year under a completely different microscope in his 18th season with the Packers.
A four-time NFL MVP, Rodgers, 38, passed for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season with the 13-4 Packers.
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