Aaron Rodgers has Covid-19… but Green Bay and their quarterback must answer questions about NFL protocol
- Aaron Rodgers has been diagnosed with Covid-19 and will miss Sunday’s game
- The 38-year-old is self-isolating as he recovers from the virus
- Yet Rodgers and Green Bay have openly been lax about the NFL’s Covid rules
Aaron Rodgers has been diagnosed as having Covid-19. The first thoughts are for the 37-year-old’s health and wellbeing.
The reigning MVP will miss the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday – and he will have to quarantine until November 13, at least.
It means Jordan Love, drafted to much hullaballoo last year, will start on Sunday at the Chiefs.
Aaron Rodgers will miss Green Bay’s game at Kansas City after catching Covid-19
‘It was just crazy, man,’ said Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark. ‘Got to have that next-man-up mentality. That’s the leader of our team, so yeah, it was just crazy news.’
Despite telling reporters he was ‘immunised’ against the virus in August, it has emerged that Rodgers has not had a Covid-19 vaccination.
The NFL point to a 94 per cent vaccination rate among current players – dwarfing the totals of the population of the US and the UK.
But that figure is based on one Covid jab – and Rodgers has only received homeopathic treatment.
So, since the start of the season Rodgers and the Packers have been flaunting the NFL’s Covid rules.
Unvaccinated players are supposed to wear masks inside team buildings and during press conferences, but Rodgers has been in violation of the league’s policy on Covid. The offense carries a $15,000 fine, but it is not known if Rodgers has been landed with such a bill.
Unvaccinated players are also supposed to travel to and from games on their own, away from the team.
But the NFL are keen to puszh any violations on the teams.
‘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 has resulted in discipline being assessed against individual clubs in the past. The league is aware of the current situation in Green Bay and will be reviewing with the Packers.’
Rodgers floats a pass beyond Arizona’s pas rush as the Packers beat the Cardinals last week
Rodgers is not the first – and nor will he be that last – person to get Covid in Green Bay. Wide receivers Davante Adams, a 2020 All-Pro, and Allen Lazard missed last week’s victory at Arizona because of Covid-19 protocols.
Across the border in Minnesota, fellow quarterback Kirk Cousins is also unvaccinated. As is Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley.
Indianapolis Colts QB Carson Wentz wears a mask during press conferences, while Rodgers’ Green Bay team-mate Lazard is also unvaccinated but holds press conferences over Zoom.
Yet the misleading Rodgers has been living a false life while secretly unvaccinated. And his stance will have ramifications for the league to discuss in future.
And while Rodgers can easily swallow the $15,000 a day fines at Green Bay for not wearing a mask, what effect will his act of defiance have on the league?