Aaron Rodgers contracted the coronavirus. It was subsequently revealed that the Green Bay Packers footballer had deceived the public about his vaccination status. Now a discussion has broken out that does not seem to be over for a long time.
In theory, it could be a pretty brief message: Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, caught the coronavirus. He is in quarantine, his team had to compete in the Kansas City Chiefs without him. His deputy Jordan Love found no playful means – which is why the team from Wisconsin suffered a 7-13 defeat on Sunday after six wins in a row.
In practice, however, it is about much more than a corona infection of a player and a defeat of a football team. It’s about the behavior of one of the biggest sports stars in the United States in the midst of a pandemic. A discussion has been raging in the USA for days that exceeds the debates about Joshua Kimmich in Germany many times over.
It started with the official information that Rodgers had Corona. So far, so normal. At the same time, his club put him on the list of unvaccinated NFL players. And that was when the excitement began. Because: Rodgers was until then in public as vaccinated. This is also important because the NFL has formulated clear guidelines: The league does not oblige its players to vaccinate, but has set up a number of rules for those who have not been vaccinated. From the mask requirement at press conferences to a hotel exit ban for away games to a regular test obligation.
NFL with strict corona rules
Roger Goodell, the manager of the league, had clearly communicated in the summer that the teams themselves were responsible for complying with the rules: “Every club is obliged to compete with its team on the planned date and at the planned location,” he said at the time. And communicated that teams that cannot compete due to the corona would lose their games at the green table. At the same time, it became known that players’ wages will be deducted proportionately if they miss games.
The problem is, Rodgers didn’t obey all of those rules. Which didn’t cause a stir in public after giving an interview a few weeks ago. When asked about his vaccination status, he replied that he was “immunized”. All observers rated this statement as a resounding yes – a fallacy. Because now it became known: Rodgers is not vaccinated, he instead underwent an alternative treatment, as he says, consisting of zinc, vitamin C and an agent that is primarily used against worm infestation. In addition, he had been treated homeopathically.
Rodgers broke his silence on former NFL pro Pat McAfee’s podcast late last week and insisted that he had not lied. Even more: he informed the NFL of his approach and requested that he be treated like a vaccinated player. But the league rejected his application. Which in turn puts those responsible in distress, because if they knew about Rodger’s actions, why didn’t they force him to adhere to the rules for the unvaccinated?
Aaron Rodgers deliberately ignored the regulations
Rodgers makes no secret of having deliberately disregarded the league’s rules: “In my opinion, there is nothing scientific about these measures, they are just for exposure.” Rodgers joined the growing list of those who stress that they are not opposed to vaccination while explaining why they are personally against vaccination. He spoke of a fear of becoming impotent while he is currently planning offspring with his partner; he was angry about a “witch hunt” against the unvaccinated; and reported that he was allergic to most vaccines because of an active ingredient used, which is why only the preparation from “Johnson & Johnson” would have come into question for him anyway – which he then made a conscious decision against. His statements were a colorful mix that is difficult to paraphrase. Because on the one hand Rodgers seemed thoroughly reflective and ready to talk, on the other hand he spread crude statements that are otherwise only known from the corner of conspiracy theorists.
Prevea Health, a health care company from Wisconsin, has since taken action and has terminated its advertising partnership with Rodgers. For its part, the league last week announced investigations into disregard of the corona rules for unvaccinated people. There is currently nothing to suggest that the Aaron Rodgers case will be closed anytime soon. What doesn’t change the fact that the Green Bay Packers are hoping for a return to normal sporting life: At the latest against the Los Angeles Rams in two weeks, maybe even against the Seattle Seahawks at the weekend, the quarterback should be back on the field.
Because of course he remains one of the best players in the league. Rodgers only seems to have lost his role as a role model. He himself may emphasize that he did not lie; But at least the fact is that he deliberately concealed parts of the truth in an interview and at the same time disregarded Corona rules. With which he may not have exposed himself as a liar, but at least as a swindler.
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Source From: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
