Aaron Rodgers reportedly wanted a special kind of treatment to count as being vaccinated.
It was revealed Wednesday that Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19, and it was shortly revealed afterwards that the NFL gunslinger was unvaccinated, despite previously telling the media he was “immunized.” (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Rodgers informed teammates a few minutes ago of his positive test. Jordan Love will get his first NFL start against Patrick Mahomes on Sunday in Kansas City. https://t.co/VFPucQaT4S
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 3, 2021
Now, more details are coming out, and it sounds like Rodgers was hoping an alternate path would clear the way for him.
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is unvaccinated, per me and @MikeGarafolo. That’s why he’s out for Sunday vs. the #Chiefs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2021
ESPN reported the following Wednesday about Rodgers being unvaccinated:
Rodgers, 37, had an alternate treatment prior to the start of training camp, sources told ESPN, and he then petitioned the NFL for that treatment to allow him to be considered the same as someone who received one of the approved vaccinations. After a lengthy back-and-forth, the league ruled that Rodgers would not get the same consideration and would be considered unvaccinated.
As I’ve said for a long time, I personally don’t care at all whether or not people are vaccinated. It doesn’t bother me one bit one way or another.
I don’t care if a person is vaccinated. It makes no impact on my life.
I’ll drink beer, watch football and be friends with good people, whether they’re vaccinated or not.
The unvaccinated aren’t second class citizens and shouldn’t be treated as such. pic.twitter.com/29QXC60Cv1
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) September 29, 2021
However, I’m also not surprised at all that the NFL didn’t allow Rodgers’ “alternate treatment” to count as being vaccinated.
The NFL has made it crystal clear that the league isn’t playing games when it comes to vaccines. You’re either vaccinated or you have to follow a very strict set of rules.
Rodgers is unvaccinated and he’ll now miss the game against the Chiefs.
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers received homeopathic treatment from his personal doctor to raise his antibody levels and asked the NFL to review his status. The NFL, NFLPA and joint docs ruled him as unvaccinated. Now, he has COVID-19.
More here: https://t.co/YtnH67bn18
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2021
Hopefully, Rodgers bounces back quickly and doesn’t miss more than one game. The NFL is simply better when guys like him are playing.