NFL Denies Aaron Rodgers’ Claim Of Convos With League Doctors About The Jab
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tested positive for COVID-19 this week, said he did not lie when he told reporters in August that he was "immunized" in response to a question about whether he had taken the COVID-19 vaccine.
But the NFL has now said he also didn't consult their doctors about any information, either.
After the news broke that Rodgers would be entering the COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players, a video clip from August surfaced where he states, "Yeah, I've been immunized" in response to a question about whether he had been vaccinated, leading some to say he had lied about his vaccine status.
The veteran QB sought an exemption from protocols for unvaccinated players based on his antibody levels before the season but was denied. He has been subject to the league's protocols for unvaccinated players — like daily testing and mask-wearing.
"First of all, I didn't lie in the initial press conference," he said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday.
Rodgers said his plan at the time was to say he had been "immunized" and added that he had undergone a treatment designed to raise his immunity in the hopes the NFL would deem him vaccinated.
"Had there been a follow-up to my statement that I had been immunized, I would have said, 'Look, I'm not some sort of anti-vax, flat-earther. I am somebody who is a critical thinker.' You guys know me, I march to the beat of my own drum,'" Rodgers said on Friday.
The 37-year-old said that because of an allergy to an ingredient in two of the vaccines, his only option was the Johnson & Johnson shot, which he said he was not comfortable taking because of reports of side effects.
Rodgers said during the process of his exemption and its appeal, he had many conversations with the league.
"But one in particular stood out when I knew I was not going to win this. I had a meeting, and one of the main docs said ‘It’s impossible for a vaccinated person to get COVID or spread COVID,'" he said. "And at that point, I knew I was definitely not going to win the appeal. And it was very shortly after that denied. And we know now that information is totally false that was given to me.”
But numerous reports state the NFL said no doctor from the league or the jointly agreed upon infectious disease consultants ever communicated with Rodgers.
Rodgers has spoken to the media during the season without wearing a mask, which appears to be a violation of NFL protocols for unvaccinated players, ESPN reports.
The NFL said Thursday is looking into COVID-19 protocol enforcement in the Packers' organization following the QB's positive test, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.
Rodgers denies skirting protocols, saying the only time he opted against wearing a mask is when he was around all vaccinated people.
"I have followed every single protocol to a T -- minus that one I just mentioned that makes absolutely no sense to me," Rodgers said.
Backup QB Jordan Love will make his first career start in place of Rodgers on Sunday in the Packers' (7-1) Week 9 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs (4-4).
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