Two days after testing positive for COVID-19, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers addressed his vaccine status, telling "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday he's not vaccinated against the virus because he has an allergy to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
But his comments weren't cut and dry. Rodgers also denied lying to reporters back in August when he said he was "immunized," and criticized the media for adopting a "woke mob" mentality and seeking to punish unvaccinated players in the midst of "cancel culture." To make matters worse, he's taken ivermectin, a drug generally used to deworm animals that has no evidence of being a safe or effective treatment for COVID-19.
"I'm not really fundamentally opposed with anything Rodgers said, but I think he took a slippery way out by trying to be evasive with something that I view incredibly important," Brandon Tierney said during the Tiki and Tierney show on Friday. "That's what bothers me with Rodgers... This is the rule of the NFL. And this guy tried to take us on a wild ride. First with being slippery, and now trying to explain the situation. You didn't follow rules. That's all that matters."
"He's never going to get cancelled. He's too damn good to be cancelled by 'cancel culture' over something like this," Tiki Barber said. "I have no problem with Rodgers, and his decision not to get the vaccination. The only problem I have with Rodgers -- and it has nothing to do with football, his status with the team -- he's trying to talk his way into us understanding his way of thinking. The only way you can get us to do that is by being open and honest..."
Rodgers, the reigning league MVP, won't play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, as unvaccinated players are required to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days. At the earliest, Rodgers can return to action on Nov. 13, one day before Green Bay hosts the Seattle Seahawks.
According to an NFL Network report, prior to the season, Rodgers requested a vaccine exemption from the league after receiving "homeopathic" treatment from his personal doctor in an effort to raise antibody levels. His request was ultimately denied by higher-ups, thus his current status.
Due to Rodgers' absence, second-year backup Jordan Love will serve as the Packers' starter. According to FiveThirtyEight projections, Green Bay (7-1) has a 95-percent chance to win the NFC North and a 23-percent chance to earn a first-round bye.
Tiki and Tierney's complete thoughts on Rodgers and the Packers can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.