This week, the New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made headlines with his candid interview on Tucker Carlson’s show.
The four-time NFL MVP did not hold back, calling out the NFL’s vaccine enforcement tactics. Rodgers claimed the league sent “stooges” to make sure players, including himself, got vaccinated.
This comes on the heels of a larger discussion about personal freedoms, bodily autonomy, and the overarching control exerted by powerful institutions.
One of the most shocking revelations from the interview was Rodgers’ claim that those who chose not to vaccinate were subject to extreme public backlash.
Rodgers described how individuals who refused the vaccine faced vitriolic comments, including people who “wished death” upon them.
Rodgers elaborated on the methods used by these so-called “stooges.” According to Rodgers, the NFL had people visiting teams to ensure compliance with vaccination mandates.
These visits were not mere suggestions but felt more like coercive pressure, forcing players to make medical decisions against their will.
When the controversy began, tensions within teams were inevitable. Rodgers acknowledged that the NFL’s aggressive stance created division in locker rooms.
Players who were hesitant or resistant to the vaccine found themselves at odds with both the league and some teammates, causing a strain on relationships and team unity.
“I think you realize it’s all about the money,” Rodgers said about the government pushing the vaccine. “And as you get into this and you read Bobby’s book about ‘The Real Anthony Fauci’ you realize if you want to know what’s really going on – not just in big pharma, but in government – is follow the money.”
“Even in the NFL, I mean, there was a strong push. They stooges out to every team to try and enforce a vaccination level above 90% of every team, with zero exemption, with zero informed consent. It was just, ‘get this so we look good.'”
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers calls out NFL "stooges" who tried pushing the vax on him and his teammates:
"They sent stooges out to every team to try and enforce a vaccination level above 90% of every team with zero exemption."
(via @TuckerCarlson)
pic.twitter.com/BIf0rMX9Bz https://t.co/ObJXxMZBRD
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 14, 2024
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL implemented strict guidelines to encourage players to get vaccinated.
The league had set clear directives, including potential penalties for teams with unvaccinated members, which forced several players into a difficult decision.
