Aaron Rodgershas returned to play for the Green Bay Packers after completing his COVID-19 quarantine.
His team, playing at their home stadium in Wisconsin, beat the Seattle Seahawks 17-0.
Rodgers hascome under fireafter confirming he was unvaccinated on Nov. 5, just two days following his positive COVID test. At the time, he claimed he “didn’t lie” when he told the media in August that he was “immunized.”
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Aaron Rodgers.Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
After his admission, Rodgers wasfinedfor violating the league’s COVID protocols, including not wearing a mask during his news conferences and going maskless in the team’s facility.
In addition, the team was fined for not reporting Rodgers and unvaccinated wide receiver Allen Lazard’s attendance at a Halloween party. (League protocol prevents those without vaccinations from gathering in groups of more than three.)
Jeffrey Phelps/AP/Shutterstock
“I understand that this issue, in general, is very charging to a lot of people because we’re talking about public health. I totally respect that. I made a decision that was in the best interest based on consulting with my doctors,” the reigning NFL MVP explained. “I understand that not everybody’s gonna understand that necessarily, but I respect everybody’s opinion.”
Later, Rodgers similarly added: “I’m an athlete, I’m not an activist. So I’m going to get back to doing what I do best, and that’s playing ball. I shared my opinion. It wasn’t one that was come to frivolously, it involved a lot of study and what I felt like was in my best interest for my body.”
In a previous interview, Rodgers told McAfee that he was allergic to an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), and did not want to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because, he claimed, “I had heard of multiple people who had had adverse events around getting the J&J.”
The athlete also said he took ivermectin, a drug that the FDA has not authorized or approved for use in treating or preventing COVID-19, and in cases where it was taken, people have been hospitalized. The FDA has not authorized or approved the drug for use in treating or preventing COVID-19, and in cases where it was taken, people have been hospitalized.
The NFL does not currently require players to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but specific mandates from teams and venues vary due to local city and state laws. The Packers do not require vaccinations at their home stadium, Lambeau Field.
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source: people.com
