Having beforehand introduced again in August that he was “immunized,” Rodgers went on to say on Friday that he was “within the crosshairs of the woke mob proper now” over his vaccination standing and that the media was on a “witch hunt” to seek out out which gamers had been vaccinated.
In his absence, second-year quarterback Jordan Love will face the Chiefs.
“What a shock, what a shock that that is the man we thought was so good and well-read and it seems that he would not even have the braveness or the heart to say he wasn’t vaccinated, in all probability as a result of he was afraid of that ‘woke mob.'”
Rodgers stated he didn’t get vaccinated as a result of he has an allergy to an ingredient within the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and was scared in regards to the doable negative effects from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In an interview with CNN, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport stated Rodgers has been following NFL Covid-19 pointers for unvaccinated gamers which require day by day testing even on off days and the sporting of protecting masks indoors.
Nevertheless, Rapoport says the NFL will examine how strictly the protocols have been applied as a result of Rodgers has been noticed not sporting a masks throughout some indoor press conferences with reporters at Lambeau Discipline. Unvaccinated gamers are required to put on masks at their membership facility and whereas touring.
“He has, in his phrases, been ‘immunized’ which is he is sought a holistic or homeopathic therapy — very costly therapy — to attempt to increase his antibody ranges after which went to the NFL and the NFLPA (Gamers Affiliation) and their joint medical doctors to get what is basically an exemption,” Rapoport stated.
“He tried to get them to say: ‘OK, due to the place your antibody ranges are, you’re allowed to say that you’re vaccinated.’ The NFL, the NFLPA and joint medical doctors didn’t enable that so he was formally dominated to be unvaccinated. That’s the actuality, that’s the reason Aaron Rodgers, regardless of type of main the general public to imagine that he’s vaccinated, his official standing is that he didn’t obtain the Covid-19 vaccination.”
NFL Covid-19 protocols state vaccinated gamers who take a look at optimistic and stay asymptomatic are eligible to return after testing unfavorable twice in a 24-hour span. Unvaccinated gamers are required to quarantine for 10 days after which take a look at unfavorable to return.
What fines might Rodgers face?
The NFL stated it’s reviewing the scenario. A league spokesperson advised CNN in a press release: “The first duty for enforcement of the Covid Protocols inside Membership amenities rests with every Membership.
“Failure to correctly implement the protocols has resulted in self-discipline being assessed in opposition to particular person Golf equipment prior to now. The league is conscious of the present scenario in Inexperienced Bay and can be reviewing with the Packers.”
The fines an unvaccinated participant can face for breaching Covid-19 protocols could be steep.
Gathering exterior of the group facility or group journey in teams of greater than three gamers may end up in a nice of $14,650.
Partaking in in-person conferences, practices and coaching actions exterior of group amenities with different gamers or workers can also be punishable by a $14,650 nice.
Attending an indoor nightclub, an indoor bar — the bar and nightclub each will need to have greater than 10 individuals — a home gathering of greater than 15 individuals, an indoor live performance or one other sporting occasion — until the participant is seated in a separated seating part, akin to a set or proprietor’s field, is sporting PPE, and there are not more than 10 individuals in that separate seating part — all with out sporting protecting gear or masks, are punishable with a $14,650 nice.
Refusal to undergo testing leads to a $50,000 nice, whereas repeat offenders of any protocols can be subjected to “elevated self-discipline,” the NFL explains.
Brennan added: “(Rodgers) might be fined by the Nationwide Soccer League, but it surely’s a bit slap on the wrist. He is also suspended. The chances are that will probably be extra the Packers which might be checked out and get some sort of a nice. My guess is will probably be a nice.”
What subsequent for the Packers?
With Rodgers in Covid-19 protocols and unable to play in Sunday’s conflict in opposition to the Chiefs, the duty falls to Like to handle the group’s offense.
Filling in for the NFL’s reigning MVP isn’t any imply feat. However doing so in your first NFL common season begin is much more tough.
Love, who will make his first profession common season begin in a raucous Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis, has solely performed briefly since being drafted within the first spherical final yr.
He did not characteristic within the 2020 season, however performed within the fourth quarter of the Packers’ Week 1 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.
With a season beneath his belt and critical time spent on the follow fields, Love has earned the respect of the veterans in his locker room.
“You may see him getting snug and extra assured every day and actually getting an understanding of the offense.”
And Love could have quite a bit driving on his shoulders come Sunday, because the Packers look to win their eighth straight recreation to stay atop the NFC standings.
However will probably be a baptism of fireside for the 23-year-old: dealing with famous person QB Patrick Mahomes and his Chiefs as they give the impression of being to win their second straight recreation within the hopes of resurrecting their season.
