Aaron Rodgers got the NFL world buzzing after his Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The 42-year-old quarterback covered a wide range of topics, including the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal.
He also couldn’t resist touching on his battles with Dr. Anthony Fauci, whom he kept referring to as “Tony.” His appearance has drawn a number of quick reactions, from an ex-ESPN star to multiple former NFL players.
Former NFL Players Throw Support Behind Aaron Rodgers
Playing 21 seasons in the NFL, winning four MVP awards and a Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has understandably built up a strong fanbase. While he has his fair share of critics too, Rodgers’ most recent actions have earned him praise from the NFL community.
Rodgers went on McAfee’s show and had some fun with Fauci’s “pleading the Fifth.” He also made it a point to poke at ESPN for steering clear of covering the Russini-Vrabel scandal.
McAfee was asking Rodgers a softball question about whether things were more fun returning for a second season in Pittsburgh, now getting to reunite with his former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy again, when Rodgers busted out the “plead the Fifth” defense.
“I’m gonna plead the fifth,” Rodgers joked. “Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? You got a pardon. And you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were ‘the science’? I thought you were ‘I am science,’ and you get up there, and you can’t answer a question? What are we doing?”
Afterward, former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko offered praise for the Steelers QB, pleading with him to “never change.”
Never change bro @AaronRodgers12 🤟🏼 https://t.co/X1TteB7FLW
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 3, 2026
Former All-Pro Marcellus Wiley also agreed with Fehoko and Rodgers’ take, saying it was “soo good!”
😳🤣 Sooo Good! Luv @AaronRodgers12 https://t.co/P8Nk40sG12
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) August 3, 2026
Rodgers wasn’t quite done, though.
He continued, taking aim at ESPN, questioning why they dropped a series of updates on his vaccination status, but gave no attention to “Tony Fauci.” Instead, their coverage consisted of a bunch on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden.
“How much time did the network spend on that?” Rodgers asked. “How much time did they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status. On Taylor and Travis’s wedding? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? Nah, I bet they didn’t.”
Then, it was time to address the Vrabel-Russini scandal, which Rodgers believes could have potential implications of “tampering.”
“Then there was another scandal this offseason too, involving a voter, for MVP, for Coach of the Year,” Rodgers continued. “How much time did your network spend? Go back to the coward Tony Fauci of science? Who’s spending the entire time writing in his diary about how fun it is to be famous? You gotta be kidding me.”
It looked like Rodgers was having the time of his life, feeling like he had been vindicated despite facing intense scrutiny at times in his past. Now, he asked, “What are they gonna say about me now?”
“What are you gonna say about me now?” Rodgers questioned. “No seriously, what are they gonna say about me now? Now we can’t talk about the COVID stuff because obviously it was made in a lab in China. That’s like not even questionable anymore. Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal. I’m on good terms with my family. What are they gonna say about me now?”
It sounds almost like what a Super Bowl MVP might say after reaching the promised land after a lifetime of pursuit. Ultimately, though, Rodgers is clearly at peace as he enters his 22nd training camp, and what he says will be his final ride.
