Steelers quarterback and COVID skeptic Aaron Rodgers took a shot at former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease director Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, on ESPN, Rodgers called Dr. Fauci an “absolute coward.”
McAfee was asking Rodgers about going into his last season and, essentially, if he was going to try to enjoy it more, compared to other seasons.
“I’m gonna plead the fifth … like that absolute coward Tony Fauci,” said Rodgers.
“Are you kidding me? You got a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony?”
Rodgers then attacked the media, claiming they didn’t cover Fauci’s nearly three-hour Senate hearing last week when he constantly invoked the Fifth Amendment, when asked questions about the pandemic.
“And how much time did the network spend at that? How much time did they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status?
Rodgers made headlines in 2021 when he told reporters “Yeah, I’m immunized” when asked if he had received the COVID-19 vaccination. Rodgers later tested positive as an unvaccinated player on the Green Bay Packers report in November.
Rodgers said that he was “immunized” by a holistic doctor.
The pandemic has been a politically polarizing topic since the beginning of COVID and was renewed last week during Fauci’s testimony.
"I'm pleading the Fifth 😂😂
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 3, 2026
You've gotta be kidding me" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/kg3y0uMxxR
Rodgers also seemingly took a shot at ESPN, the station the McAfee show is on, criticizing them for, in his opinion, a lack of coverage on the reported affair between former Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“How much time did your network spend on that?” Rodgers said.
