Green Bay star Aaron Rodgers blames 'woke mob' for targeting him after unvaccinated QB tested positive for COVID: Says he's fighting infection with Ivermectin on the advice of podcaster Joe Rogan
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers claims he's being targeted by the 'woke mob' and a media 'witch hunt' for being unvaccinated after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, and says he's fighting his infection with Ivermectin on the advice of podcaster Joe Rogan.
Rodgers, who will miss Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, appeared on the Pat McAfee show on Friday to speak publicly for the first time since his positive test.
'I realize I'm in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now,' Rodgers said. 'So before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I think I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself.'
The reigning NFL MVP has taken criticism for implying the he was vaccinated back in August. When asked at the time if he received the injection, Rodgers said, 'yeah, I'm immunized,' leading may to think he was vaccinated.
On Friday, Rodgers told McAfee that he would have cleared up any confusion if the reporters had asked any follow-up questions. Rodgers said he would have told the media that he's not an 'not an anti-vax flat earther' — a possible reference to unvaccinated Nets guard Kyrie Irving — and that he is instead a 'critical thinker.'
Rodgers's vaccination status was made plain this week when it was revealed he will be away from the Packers for 10 days — the minimum amount of time an unvaccinated player is asked to quarantine following a positive test, per league rules. NFL Network also reported that he is unvaccinated.
There are several reasons Rodgers is unvaccinated, he said, including his own allergies, and the likelihood that he and his fiancee, actress Shailene Woodley, would try to have children some day.
According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone over 12, including women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant, and their partners.
Woodley made a cryptic Instagram post on Friday, sharing a graphic that read: 'Calm Seas May Bring You Peace, But Storms Are Where You’ll Find Your Power.'
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers claims he's being targeted by the 'woke mob' for being unvaccinated after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, and says he's fighting his infection with ivermectin on the advice of podcaster Joe Rogan
Rodgers (center), who will miss Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, appeared on the Pat McAfee (left) show on Friday to speak publicly for the first time since his positive test
On the advice of podcaster Joe Rogan (pictured), Rodgers is taking Ivermectin to treat COVID
There are several reasons Rodgers is unvaccinated, he said, including the likelihood that he and his fiancee, actress Shailene Woodley (left), would try to have children some day
As Rodgers told McAfee, he declared himself immunized back in August because of a treatment prescribed to him by his doctor.
'I have an allergy to an ingredient that's in the mRNA vaccines,' Rodgers said. 'I found a long-term immunization protocol to protect myself and I'm very proud of the research that went into that.'
According to an NFL Network report, Rodgers received a homeopathic treatment to raise his antibody levels and then asked the NFL to review his status. The league noted that no such exemption exists, and ruled Rodgers to be unvaccinated, subjecting him to more stringent pandemic protocols.
Rodgers confirmed that reporting on Friday, saying he asked the team to 'accept my immunization status as under their vaccination protocol,' but the league refused.
Borrowing the phrase, 'my body, my choice,' from pro-choice advocates, Rodgers argued health is not 'one size fits all.'
'I believe strongly in body autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body —not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture or crazed group of individuals that say you have to do something,' he said.
Rodgers and the Packers are 7-1 on the year
The 37-year-old also said he thinks the public hasn't critically considered the effects of the vaccine.
'The vaccines do offer some protection for sure but there is a lot we don't know about them,' he said, adding, there is a lot to natural immunity.
'If you have gotten Covid and recovered from it, that's the best boost to immunity you can have.'
Rodgers' assertion is not supported by research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that the vaccination does a better job of protecting people from COVID-19 infection than antibodies from previous infections. One study found that unvaccinated patients who were hospitalized were five times more likely to have COVID-19 than those vaccinated within the last three to six months.
He also invoked the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to illustrate his stance against vaccine mandates.
'As an aside, the great MLK said, ''You have a moral obligation to object to unjust rules and rules that made no sense,''' Rodgers said. 'In my opinion, it makes no sense to me. I test every single day. Every single day.'
Rodgers said he began feeling stuck Tuesday and is only just starting to feel better after not feeling 'great' on Thursday.
To treat his infection, Rodgers said he is relying on advice from Rogan, who has been among America's leading COVID-19 vaccine skeptics.
'I consulted a good friend of mine, Joe Rogan, and I've been doing a lot of the stuff he recommended in his podcast,' Rodgers said.
Rodgers said he's received monoclonal antibodies and taken Ivermectin — a drug used to work animals in its veterinary form that is unproven to treat COVID-19. The FDA has not approved the drug for use in preventing or treating coronavirus in humans and has warned patients against ingesting veterinary Ivermectin.
Woodley made a cryptic Instagram post on Friday, sharing a graphic that read: 'Calm Seas May Bring You Peace, But Storms Are Where You’ll Find Your Power'
Due to league protocols, Rodgers will not be allowed to return to the team before November 13, and possibly later than that. Unvaccinated players who test positive for COVID-19 must be away from the team for at least 10 days, and must be asymptomatic before their return.
The Packers host the Seattle Seahawks a day later on November 14.
NFL players are only encouraged to get the vaccine, while all Tier 1 and 2 personnel, which includes coaches, are required to get the injection.
The protocols for unvaccinated players remain largely the same as they were for everyone during the 2020 season. The difference now, since the release of several vaccines, is that players who have gotten the injections are free from certain testing, distancing, and mask protocols.
Unvaccinated players, however, need to distance, wear masks, and get daily tests.
'It's going to be interesting to see how things work moving forward,' Rodgers said in August. 'Obviously there could be some issues with vaccinated people only testing every couple weeks and then non-vaccinated testing every day.'
The Packers (7-1) are on a seven-game winning streak and are tied with the Rams and Cardinals for the best record in the NFL.
The protocols for unvaccinated players remain largely the same as they were for everyone during the 2020 season. The difference now, since the release of several vaccines, is that players who have gotten the injections are free from certain testing, distancing, and mask protocols. Unvaccinated players, however, need to distance, wear masks, and get daily tests
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