Aaron Rodgers renewed his criticism of Anthony Fauci during an Aug. 3 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show from Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.
Rodgers called Fauci an “absolute coward” for repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment during a July 29 Senate hearing about the government’s COVID-19 response. Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, later said Rodgers did not know what he was talking about and should focus on football.
The exchange revived attention on Rodgers’ long-standing criticism of pandemic policies and the controversy surrounding his COVID-19 vaccination status.
A feud years in the making
Rodgers’ dispute with pandemic-era public health policies became national news in 2021. He told reporters that he had been “immunized,” but he had not received an NFL-recognized COVID-19 vaccine.
Rodgers later acknowledged that he should have described his status more clearly. He continued criticizing Fauci after the pandemic’s peak, including a 2023 remark during a discussion of his Achilles rehabilitation.
The issue returned to national attention before Fauci’s July 29, 2026, Senate hearing. Rand Paul released more than 1,000 pages of diary entries that Fauci had created during the pandemic years.
Fauci’s Fifth Amendment Senate showdown
Fauci appeared under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29. He invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times during questioning about the pandemic response, virus research and COVID-19’s origins.
Former President Joe Biden had granted Fauci a federal pardon covering conduct through Jan. 19, 2025. Fauci’s lawyers maintained that he could still face legal exposure over later statements or matters outside the pardon’s federal scope.
On Aug. 6, the committee voted 8-5 to advance a contempt resolution. Paul said he would ask the Justice Department to prosecute Fauci, while Democrats disputed both the resolution and the process used to advance it.
Rodgers criticizes Fauci on live television
Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show at Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 3. When McAfee asked about his mindset entering his final NFL season, Rodgers replied that he would “plead the Fifth” and compared himself sarcastically with Fauci.
Rodgers called Fauci an “absolute coward” and questioned why he invoked the Fifth Amendment after receiving a federal pardon. He later called Fauci a criminal, although Fauci has not been convicted of a crime.
McAfee initially attempted to redirect the conversation before later expressing support for Rodgers’ account of how unvaccinated NFL players were treated during the pandemic.
Behind Rodgers’ vaccine controversy
Rodgers told reporters in August 2021 that he had been “immunized” against COVID-19. He had not received one of the vaccines recognized under the NFL’s health protocols and was classified as unvaccinated.
Rodgers tested positive on Nov. 3, 2021, and missed Green Bay’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs because unvaccinated players who tested positive were required to isolate for at least 10 days.
Rodgers said he was allergic to polyethylene glycol, an ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and expressed concerns about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
He underwent a homeopathic treatment intended to raise his antibody levels, but medical experts advising the NFL and NFL Players Association found no evidence that it provided protection equivalent to vaccination.
Little-known fact: Rodgers joined the Milwaukee Bucks’ ownership group as a limited partner in 2018, becoming the only active NFL player at the time with an ownership stake in an NBA team.
ESPN caught in the crossfire
Rodgers also attacked ESPN’s editorial decisions during the interview. He called the network a “gutless organization” with “no integrity” and questioned whether it had devoted enough coverage to Fauci’s Senate hearing.
He contrasted that coverage with the attention ESPN had given his vaccination status and other celebrity and NFL stories. Rodgers also criticized the network’s handling of a controversy involving former NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
The first portion of Rodgers’ appearance aired on ESPN before the interview continued on The Pat McAfee Show’s YouTube stream.
Steelers address Rodgers’ comments
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said discussions about culture and politics can produce different perspectives and that players are entitled to their personal views. He added that the team’s locker room likely contained a variety of opinions.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said the players were adults with different views, but emphasized that his responsibility was to keep the team focused on football and winning.
The organization did not announce any disciplinary action against Rodgers over the interview.
Rodgers’ comments revive pandemic divisions
Rodgers’ remarks received support from some conservative commentators and criticism from Fauci’s attorney. David Schertler said Rodgers did not understand the legal issues surrounding the Senate hearing.
The political dispute intensified on Aug. 6, when the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced a contempt resolution against Fauci. Paul said he would send the matter to the Justice Department, while Democratic members called the process partisan and legally flawed.
The episode illustrates how arguments over vaccination, COVID-19’s origins, and the government’s pandemic response continue to influence both sports and national politics.
Little-known fact: As a kid, Anthony Fauci made pharmacy deliveries around the neighborhood by bicycle while attending a small Catholic elementary school.
TL;DR
- Aaron Rodgers called Anthony Fauci a “coward” during a live ESPN interview at Steelers training camp.
- The comments followed Fauci’s contentious Senate testimony, during which he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment.
- Rodgers also criticized ESPN, calling the network “gutless” on its own broadcast.
- The Steelers have defended Rodgers’ right to speak his mind publicly.
- The feud traces back to 2021, when Rodgers faced backlash over his vaccination status.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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