The Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has taken the sports industry by storm as he comes clean to being not vaccinated. However, when Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19, many thought he was vaccinated. 

In August, Rodgers informed multiple news outlets of his vaccinated status. Many players were indecisive about receiving the COVID-19 test due to many personal reasons. However, the benefits of taking the vaccine lessened the number of days of quarantine a player has to do. Instead of 14 days, with a chance of missing three games guaranteed, a vaccinated player would only miss a maximum of two games. As a result, many star players or those with important roles on the team have been known to lie about their status or the fact that they have COVID-19. 

On November 5, Rodgers appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and said, of his vaccinated status, that “he did not lie, in fact, that was the truth at the time.” He went on to say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had “certain ingredients,” which eliminated the choice of vaccine due to his allergy history. 

“I’m not some sort of anti-vax, flat-earther,” Rodgers said. “I believe strongly in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body, not to have to acquiesce to some sort of woke culture or crazed individuals who say you have to do something.”

The Packers organization received backlash due to a lack of punishment towards Rodgers for his dishonesty. Many players and teams around the league were waiting to see whether he would be suspended or fined. His lack of care and awareness of the protocols can put other players, staff and extended families at risk. These incidents are the same reasons thousands of athletes chose to sit out the year prior; the main goal as an athlete is to protect yourself on the field and off the field every second of the day. 

After days of waiting for a decision on whether Rodgers will receive a punishment, the NFL collaboratively came to an agreement. The Packers’ entire organization was fined $300,000 for their lack of effort in enforcing the COVID-19 protocols within their facilities and on their sidelines. Rodgers and star receiver, Allen Lazard, were fined $15,000 for not following the league rules and gathering with more than the amount of people allowed. 

While Rodgers was suspended, he did have to sit out against the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 7. He was placed on the team’s weekly COVID-19 list, causing him to miss and that resulted in a 13-7 loss. Able to return the following week, Rodgers led the Packers to victory, 17-0, over their rival the Seattle Seahawks.  Rodgers and the Packers’ organization have arguably learned their lesson, but the fallout will continue in the coming weeks. Rodgers has already lost one of his endorsements from a healthcare company in Wisconsin, and a number of fans are questioning his decision and the impact on the team.  Rodgers has gone 1-1 since his return from the COVID affair, and despite the noise from his actions, the team maintains its goal of winning out for the rest of their season, with eyes focused on winning the Super Bowl and holding up the Lombardi Trophy.