Aaron Rodgers has never shied away from mixing football with controversy, and his sharpest comments often extend beyond the gridiron. During a 2024 appearance on the Look Into It podcast, the four-time MVP quarterback revisited Donald Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, reigniting debate about the intersection of politics and sports.
Aaron Rodgers takes aim at Donald Trump’s pandemic leadership
Aaron Rodgers, who drew widespread scrutiny for questioning vaccine mandates and even flirted with politics himself as a rumored running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., argued that Donald Trump failed his own “drain the swamp” promise. His biggest criticism focused on Donald Trump’s decision to keep Dr. Anthony Fauci in charge.“Trump, OK, Trump’s an outsider, all the rhetoric, we’re going to drain a swamp and go after the corruption. And I don’t think a lot happened,” Rodgers said. “What I fault him for is Tony Fauci … not only did Trump push the vaccine, Operation Warp Speed, or whatever the [heck] it was, but he let Fauci stay in charge and shut the country down.”
Donald Trump keeps fueling NFL debates
The president, however, hasn’t stayed out of NFL storylines himself. Amid Pittsburgh’s quarterback shuffle, Donald Trump unexpectedly endorsed Mason Rudolph, praising his arm and charisma while predicting he could become “the guy” for the Steelers.Trump’s second term has also divided locker rooms. The Philadelphia Eagles split over attending the White House after their Super Bowl LIX win, while Saquon Barkley drew online fire for golfing with Trump. Barkley clapped back, saying he respects the office regardless of who occupies it.Also Read: Despite NFL’s $500 fine Beyoncé turns Netflix’s “Beyoncé Bowl” into a triumph outshining the leagueFrom Rodgers’ fiery critiques to Trump’s quarterback scouting, the NFL continues to sit at the center of America’s cultural and political tug-of-war.
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