Aaron Rodgers' Never-Before-Exposed Controversies: Unveiling the Vaccine Drama, 9/11 Questioning, and More

Aaron Rodgers, regarded as one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks, frequently captures attention for his off-field behavior rather than his impressive on-field performance.

In November 2021, Rodgers faced significant criticism after it was disclosed that he had deceived individuals regarding his COVID-19 vaccination status. While speaking to reporters, he falsely claimed to be "immunized" despite never receiving the vaccination.

The athlete staunchly defended his use of the phrase, deeming it as "the truth."

In a later explanation on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers stated, "If there had been a follow-up to my statement about being immunized, my response would have been as follows: I want to make it clear that I am not some kind of anti-vax-flat-Earther. I consider myself a critical thinker who approaches situations in my own unique way. I strongly believe in the principle of bodily autonomy, the freedom to make choices for one's own body, without succumbing to the pressures of a culture that claims to be socially aware or an impassioned group insisting on a specific course of action."

Keep scrolling for all of Rodgers’ controversies through the years:

Family Feud

During his time on The Bachelorette in 2016, Jordan Rodgers, Aaron's brother, confided in future wife JoJo Fletcher about their limited relationship. Jordan cited their differing choices in life, with him opting to maintain a close bond with their family, including their parents and brother. He acknowledged that their current situation was less than ideal, as he held no ill will towards Aaron. Jordan expressed empathy towards Aaron, understanding the immense pressure and demands he faced, and accepted that their relationship was as it stood.

The brothers' rift deepened over time, exacerbated by Jordan, Luke Rodgers, and other family members publicly accusing Aaron of neglecting their needs during the California wildfires in 2018.

COVID-19 Vaccine Drama

As an unvaccinated player, Rodgers, who had contracted COVID-19 in November 2021, incurred a hefty penalty of $14,650 for breaching NFL COVID-19 safety protocols. Among his violations were attending a gathering alongside fellow teammates and engaging with reporters sans a face mask. In addition, the Green Bay Packers were sanctioned with a fine of $300,000 for their failure to discipline Rodgers or report his transgressions.

Ayahuasca Journey

In August 2022, Rodgers claimed on “The Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that doing ayahuasca helped him win two back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.

“I don’t believe it's mere chance. Not anymore. Coincidences hold no weight in my view,” he expressed. “The universe conspires to manifest events precisely when they should occur. Signs and synchronicities surround us constantly, if only we are conscious enough to perceive them and heed our intuition's call. It may even be a constant reminder, hitting us on the head, insisting, ‘Hey, foolish one, this is your destined path.’"

The 9/11 Question

In November 2022, during an episode of "The Breneman Show" podcast, DeShone Kizer, the backup quarterback for the Packers, revealed that Aaron Rodgers had urged him to critically examine the validity of the September 11 attacks. Kizer recounted how Rodgers closed the door and immediately asked him, "Do you believe in 9/11?" The intention behind Rodgers' inquiry, according to Kizer, was to encourage him to delve into the various conspiracy theories surrounding the event.

The Constant Indecision

Throughout several consecutive off-seasons, Rodgers consistently left fans in anticipation and kept the Green Bay Packers hanging in limbo as he openly suggested the potential of being traded or even retiring completely. Despite choosing to remain with the Packers on each occasion, a significant development occurred in 2023 when Rodgers and the team ultimately made the bold decision to part ways, resulting in his trade to the Jets.

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Golf Cheating Claims

In August 2023, Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen accused Aaron Rodgers of cheating at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in February 2023. During an interview on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast, Allen stated that although he loves Rodgers, he believes the quarterback engaged in "sandbagging." This refers to the act of downplaying one's golfing skills before the match to gain an advantage by receiving additional strokes during gameplay.

“He may have gotten seven or eight strokes too many at Pebble Beach, or nine,” Allen claimed “other sources” said. Then he joked, “I think Aaron Rodgers should be in jail.”