At the outset of writing this post, I should make my position on the COVID-19 vaccine crystal clear. The vaccine works, it is safe and, in most cases, the overwhelming number of cases, it prevents hospitalizations and deaths.
The vaccine does not scramble your DNA, it does not contain micro-chips, it does not contain a dye called “Luciferace,” it does not render anyone sterile, grow hair in unwanted places or kidnap your French bulldog in the middle of the night, for that matter.
And another fact: the NFL and its teams are privately held (the Packers are an exception but with an asterisk). The NFL is a business and their policy is that their players need to get vaccinated.
Aaron Rodgers
For the longest time, Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, assured his team, the media and his adoring fans, that he was “immunized.” Everyone assumed that Rodgers meant he was vaccinated against COVID-19. He lied. The lie was perpetuated until a minor inconvenience occurred: he came down with COVID-19.
Fortunately, Aaron Rodgers is not too sick. Don’t take that as a sign that the disease is a farce. Rodgers is the multi-millionaire quarterback of a multi-billion-dollar franchise. I guarantee he has access to mono-clonal antibody and other treatments that most of our insurers will not cover. I have no inside information, but I would be amazed if Rodgers did not have monitoring 24/7 and access to equipment most hospitals might envy.
The NFL, a private entity that sets policy for teams and players, has just fined the Packers $300,000 and QB Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard $14,650 each.
According to ESPN (November 10, 2021):
“The source [of information on the fines] said the Packers’ cooperation with the investigation was taken into consideration, but the team was warned that future violations could result in increased discipline, including possible change in draft position or loss of draft choice.”
Rodgers and his receiver, unvaccinated, attended a Halloween party away from the Packers facility. When they returned to practices, stood in front of the media at press conferences, interacted with other players, they did not wear masks. Attending a large party, in and of itself was an NFL violation. In fact, neither Rodgers nor Lazard wore masks inside the Packers facility.
Said Packers president Mark Murphy (in part):
“We will continue to educate the team regarding the importance of the protocols and remain committed to operating within the protocols.”
“I’m Allergic”
Rodgers in an interview on the Pat McAfee show:
“Health is not a one size fits all for everybody, and for me, it involved a lot of study in the offseason. My medical team advised me that the danger of an adverse event was greater than the risk of getting COVID and recovering.”
However, no one quite knows what the allergy is, and even if by the slightest chance he was allergic to a micro-ingredient in a tiny dosage, why did he put himself in harms way by going to parties and not wearing a mask.
Some have called Aaron Rodgers a liar, that he lied about being vaccinated and intentionally misled people and put them in danger with his nonsense. I am going to avoid such language and say that he is not a liar, just unethical as hell. It was his choice to not get vaccinated, it was his choice to not wear a mask, it was his choice to go to a large party and it was obviously his choice to intentionally expose others to his positive status.
Health, Mr. Rodgers, has never been a one size fits all concept, but ethical behavior is. By the way, I would love to talk with the geniuses on the Rodgers “medical team.” I would be curious to know if they also recommended, he intentionally expose himself and everyone else on the team. Additionally, it would be of use if the medical team could enlighten all of us on the specific ingredient causing the allergy and how they determined it was, in fact, the causative agent.
Aaron Rodgers is currently worth about $130 million. His $14,000 fine is pocket change and adds to the joke. He has already lost endorsements but more than that, his once-stellar reputation. Perhaps he believes the situation is funny. However, many people have stopped laughing.
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