Aaron Rodgers reignited his public criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci during an Aug. 3 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. After Rodgers called Fauci an “absolute coward” over his recent Senate testimony, one of Fauci’s attorneys responded publicly.
Rodgers brought up Fauci while discussing his mindset as he enters what he says will be his final NFL season. He criticized Fauci for invoking the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a July 29 Senate hearing.
Attorney David Schertler responded briefly, saying Rodgers did not know what he was talking about and “should stick to football.” The exchange renewed attention to Rodgers’ years of outspoken criticism of COVID-19 vaccination policies and public health officials.
What Rodgers said about Fauci
Aaron Rodgers stunned viewers on the Pat McAfee Show this week by attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci without warning. He called the former health official an “absolute coward” on live television, and the clip spread fast.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback brought up Fauci while discussing his final season plans on the show. He said he would plead the Fifth just like Fauci did during his Senate testimony. His tone stayed sharp.
Rodgers has never been shy about sharing his personal views on vaccines or publicly criticizing government health officials. This latest outburst fits a familiar pattern for him. Fans reacted quickly online, some cheering while others objected.
Inside the contentious Senate hearing
Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29, 2026. The hearing examined his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the origins of the virus, and questions about federally funded coronavirus research in China.
Committee Chairman Rand Paul questioned Fauci about issues, including gain-of-function research. Fauci, who appeared under subpoena, invoked his Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer more than 100 questions on the advice of his attorneys.
Rodgers later criticized Fauci for invoking the Fifth Amendment despite receiving a preemptive federal pardon from President Joe Biden in January 2025. However, the legal significance of that pardon remains disputed. Legal experts have noted that the pardon does not necessarily eliminate potential exposure involving conduct outside its federal and temporal scope.
Fauci’s attorney fires back
David Schertler, one of Fauci’s attorneys, responded after Rodgers’ public criticism. In a message to The Athletic, Schertler said Rodgers did not know what he was talking about and “should stick to football.”
Schertler’s response was brief and did not provide a detailed rebuttal to Rodgers’ claims about Fauci’s Senate testimony. His comments came after Rodgers criticized Fauci for invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during the July 29 hearing.
The exchange brought Rodgers’ criticism of Fauci back into the spotlight as debate continued over Fauci’s testimony and his use of the Fifth Amendment.
Rodgers’ long history of vaccine skepticism
Rodgers has publicly questioned COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic policies since 2021. That year, when reporters asked whether he had been vaccinated, he said he had been “immunized,” although he had not received a COVID-19 vaccine. He later acknowledged that he had misled people about his vaccination status and took responsibility.
Rodgers continued criticizing vaccine mandates and other pandemic-era policies. In 2023, he challenged Travis Kelce to a public debate about COVID-19 vaccines and proposed teaming with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while Kelce partnered with Fauci. The proposed debate did not take place.
Rodgers has frequently framed his position around personal medical choice and opposition to mandates while continuing to criticize Fauci and other public-health authorities.
Steelers coach stays out of it
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about Rodgers’ comments during training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. McCarthy declined to engage with the substance of the remarks, saying the players are “grown men” who have different opinions.
McCarthy said his responsibility is to keep the team focused on football and winning. He also said he believed the Steelers were in a good place as a locker room.
Separately, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said discussions involving culture and politics can produce different perspectives and that players are entitled to their personal views. The organization did not endorse Rodgers’ comments and instead emphasized differing opinions within the locker room.
Rodgers nears his final NFL season
This season marks Rodgers’ 22nd year in professional football, a rare feat by most measures. He signed a new deal worth up to $25 million for what he calls his final run.
Rodgers has talked openly about retirement for several years now, often changing his mind at the very last possible moment. This time, he insists it truly is his last season before stepping away from football.
Despite the recent offseason controversy, Rodgers appears fully focused on finishing his long career strong with the Pittsburgh organization. He has discussed wanting one final competitive run before walking away from the game he loves.
Little-known fact: Rodgers reportedly spent four nights in a soundproofed room during a self-described “darkness retreat” while deciding whether to leave the Packers.
Fauci’s decades-long government career
Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 until his retirement from federal service in December 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became one of the country’s most recognizable public-health officials, serving on the White House Coronavirus Task Force under President Donald Trump and later as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser.
On Jan. 20, 2025, more than 2 years after Fauci retired from government, Biden issued him a preemptive federal pardon. Biden said the action was intended to protect public servants from what he described as unjustified and politically motivated investigations or prosecutions.
Little-known fact: Federal salary data reported by Forbes showed that Fauci earned $417,608 in 2019, more than the president’s $400,000 salary, making him the highest-paid federal employee reported for that year.
What comes next for both men
The controversy has continued to develop beyond the initial exchange. Rodgers has responded to criticism of his Fauci remarks, saying that public backlash does not change his willingness to express his views.
Fauci’s congressional dispute has also escalated. On Aug. 6, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 to advance a resolution holding him in contempt over his refusal to answer questions at the July 29 hearing. Chairman Rand Paul then asked the Justice Department to pursue criminal contempt.
Rodgers, meanwhile, is preparing for what he says will be his final NFL season with Pittsburgh. Whether Rodgers, Fauci or Schertler directly exchange further remarks remains uncertain.
TL;DR
- Rodgers called Fauci an “absolute coward” on the Pat McAfee Show.
- Fauci had just pleaded the Fifth repeatedly before the Senate.
- Attorney David Schertler said Rodgers “should stick to football.”
- Rodgers has criticized Fauci and vaccines publicly since 2021.
- Coach Mike McCarthy declined to weigh in on the feud.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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