ESPN
Aaron Rodgers made his first controversial appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' of the season
The NFL season is truly beginning to ramp up with training camps underway, which means quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to The Pat McAfee Show to use the popular ESPN program as a nationally televised Frank Costanza-inspired airing of grievances.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, a fiery and arrogant Aaron Rodgers went off on numerous divisive topics, from Dr. Anthony Fauci to Dianna Russini’s alleged affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“I’m gonna plead the 5th. Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? What are you scared of Tony? I thought you were the science?” a perturbed Rodgers said.
Rodgers also touted the recent mending of his relationship with his family and declared that there’s nothing left for his haters to say about him.
“What are they going to say about me now? They can’t talk about the COVID stuff because it was made in a lab in China — that’s not even questionable anymore. Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal. I’m on good terms with my family. What are you gonna say now?” Rodgers proclaimed.
ESPN and the Pittsburgh Steelers issued official responses to Aaron Rodgers’ latest controversial comments on The Pat McAfee Show
According to Pro Football Talk, an ESPN spokesperson said they have no comment regarding Rodgers’ interview, while the Pittsburgh Steelers said their players are “entitled to their own personal views.”
“Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten told WTAE-TV.
Rodgers’ rant also sparked a larger discussion about the general state of ESPN following its recent round of layoffs, with some sports fans complaining that the network has axed longtime talent so it can pay Pat McAfee $100 million to provide Rodgers with nationally televised therapy sessions.
After routinely making unwanted headlines on The Pat McAfee Show during his two seasons with the New York Jets, Rodgers toned it down a bit last year during his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now that Mike Tomlin is no longer in charge, perhaps Rodgers will be reverting to his old ways.