Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tests positive for COVID-19 and will not suit up this week against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, per ESPN.
Breaking: Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday's game vs. the Chiefs, per @AdamSchefter. First reported by NFL Network. pic.twitter.com/hscBcLxIHI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 3, 2021
The Packers consider Rodgers to be unvaccinated since the start of the 2021 season. As a result, The Packers placed Rodgers on the league’s reserve/COVID-19 list. The NFL is investigating how the Packers have handled COVID-19 protocols. The league’s protocol states that if any player tests positive and is unvaccinated they must quarantine for a minimum of ten days and can not return.
The 37-year-old had an alternative treatment prior to training camp. Rodgers petitioned for the NFL for that treatment to allow him the same consideration as someone who received the approved vaccinations. There was a lengthy exchange between both parties. This ultimately led to them approving Rodgers’ case for exemption. However, the Packers still consider Rodgers to be unvaccinated.
BREAKING: "The Green Bay Packers have known for a very long time that Aaron Rodgers is not vaccinated.. Rodgers has been following the Covid-19 protocols for those that are unvaccinated" ~@RapSheet#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/4HyuyUzi2Y
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 3, 2021
Rodgers follows mask protocols while interacting with players and coaches inside the Packer’s facilities, per sources. However, Rodgers doesn’t seem to wear a mask while speaking to the media during his weekly and post-game interviews. Oddly enough, the Packers have arranged for other players who aren’t vaccinated to interview via Zoom. Yet vaccinated players are allowed to do in-person media sessions.
The NFL announced that they are “aware of the current situation in Green Bay” and will be reviewing the matter over.
“The primary responsibility for enforcement of the COVID protocols within club facilities rests with each club,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “Failure to properly enforce the protocols will result in the discipline against individual clubs in the past.”
Aaron Rodgers Explanation to the Green Bay Packers
In August, when asked to speak about his vaccination status, Rodgers mentioned that he is “immune”.
Opposite of a role model:
Aaron Rodgers lies about vaccine status, now contracted COVID. Should be let go. pic.twitter.com/QpyucrS71c— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) November 3, 2021
“You know, there’s a lot of conversation around it, around the league, and a lot of guys who have made statements and not made statements, owners who have made statements,” Rodgers said. “There are guys on the team that hasn’t been vaccinated. I think it’s a personal decision. I’m not going to judge those guys. There are guys that received the vaccination that has contracted COVID. It’s an interesting issue that I think we’re going to see played out the entire season.”
“All in all, I think I like to learn about everything that I’m doing, and there was a lot of research that even went into that,” Rodgers later added.
