Aaron Rodgers regrets saying he was ‘immunized’ from COVID-19 in new unauthorized biography

Regrets? New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a few. Though he’s known for doing things his way, not all of his decisions have proven to be wise. And one in particular stands out to him.

In a new unauthorized biography by Ian O’Connor, “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers,” Rodgers told O’Connor that he wishes he hadn’t used the term “immunized” in 2021 when he was asked if he had received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“If there’s one thing I wish could have gone different, it’s that, because that’s the only thing [critics] could hit me with,” Rodgers said in the book, via ESPN. He regrets saying “immunized” not because it was medically untrue, but because it gave the media an opening to criticize him.

Rodgers’ ‘immunized’ debacle

In 2021, Rodgers (who was then with the Green Bay Packers) had said in the preseason that he had been “immunized” against COVID-19, though he notably didn’t say he’d been “vaccinated,” which is what the NFL had been requiring. Throughout the first two months of the season, Rodgers hadn’t been subject to the safety protocols the NFL instituted for unvaccinated players.

Aaron Rodgers wishes he hadn’t said he was “immunized” from COVID-19 in 2021 because it gave the media the chance to criticize him. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Then Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021. He was forced to follow the safety protocols, indicating that he had actually not been vaccinated, and he had been using the word “immunized” to describe a homeopathic treatment regimen. He had appealed to the NFL to count him as vaccinated due to the non-medical treatment he’d received, but they turned him down.

The “immunized” incident singlehandedly changed Rodgers’ public image from rugged, slightly eccentric All-American quarterback to conspiracy theorist football player who wouldn’t stop talking. Rodgers told O’Connor he had used the term “immunized” specifically to mislead the public and the media and influence the NFL. Via ESPN:

“I had…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-regrets-saying-he-was-immunized-from-covid-19-in-new-unauthorized-biography-133151937.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-12 13:31:51

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