Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Absolutely Demolished Aaron Rodgers Over His Lie About COVID-19 Vaccine: ‘His Own Words Cancel Him as a Liar and a Bad Thinker’
The Green Bay Packers have dealt with a litany of issues stemming from star quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ COVID-19 situation. Rodgers dug himself into a deeper hole after his recent public comments. It’s led to former Los Angeles Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar verbally destroying the Packers quarterback over his lie about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Aaron Rodgers publicly addresses COVID-19 vaccine status
Rodgers testing positive for COVID-19 created a whirlwind of events around him.
Beyond missing Week 8 action against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rodgers saw his unvaccinated status become revealed, and he publicly addressed the matter during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday. In the 46-minute conversation, the three-time league MVP aired his reasoning for not taking the vaccine.
Rodgers voiced he didn’t lie about not getting the shot while he stated that a follow-up would have provided clarity.
“Look, I’m not some sort of anti-vax, flat-earther. I am somebody who’s a critical thinker,” Rodgers said via NFL.com. You guys know me. I march to the beat of my own drum. I believe strongly in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body, not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture or crazed group of individuals who say you have to do something.
“Health is not a one-size-fits-all for everybody. And for me, it involved a lot of study in the offseason, much like the study I put into hosting Jeopardy! Or the weekly study I put into playing the game.”
Rodgers also added that he followed every NFL protocol except wearing a mask during press conferences with the media. His comments quickly led to a bushfire of stern responses, including a former Lakers great lashing back.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar absolutely demolished Aaron Rodgers over his lie about COVID-19 vaccine: ‘His own words cancel him as a liar and a bad thinker’
Since Rodgers voiced his thoughts concerning the COVID-19 vaccine, he’s received plenty of backlash.
The situation generated a strong response from former Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Hall of Famer heavily criticized the 37-year-old for his various stances, ranging from his point of view on mask-wearing to conversing with comedian/podcast host Joe Rogan about treatment to build a “natural immunity.”
Abdul-Jabbar hammered Rodgers by calling the star quarterback’s words quite damning and saying they were damaging his public image and reputation.
“Rodgers complained that the ‘cancel culture’ was coming for him, but his own words cancel him as a liar and a bad thinker,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote on his Substack channel. “If he had a principled objection to the vaccine, he could have chosen not to play, like [Nets star] Kyrie Irving, who at least is honest. What really sacked his whining stance was his refusal to wear a mask during interviews to protect others from sickness and death.
“That was merely his hubris and arrogance against what he called the ‘woke mob.’ In this case, woke means compassion and responsibility toward others. He might also remember that the only reason he is able to play in front of crowds again is because all those suckers got vaccinated.”
The Hall of Famer added that Rodgers’ lie “damaged professional sports” as he believes it lowers the public trust in athletes and may create hesitance from sponsors to work with players.
Rodgers’ comments show arrogance and give off the sentiment of speaking down to those who have taken the vaccine. His decision not to get the shot was his, but it impacts others around him through potential health risks. His elevated platform also provides him much influence as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
NFL is conducting an investigation into the situation
Beyond Rodgers’ comments, the Packers star quarterback is now amid a concerning situation that could lead to league punishment.
The NFL recently started an investigation to determine whether the 37-year-old violated any protocols. The league remains quite strict about the health and safety guidelines. That alone suggests it could levy punishment down on Rodgers and Packers.
It’s a fluid situation that the NFL will work to handle quickly and appropriately. Rodgers has put himself in a challenging spot that could negatively impact him heavily.
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