What regrets does Aaron Rodgers have about covid-19 vaccine controversy?

Superstar athletes can all attest to the platforms that they enjoy, which is why the scrutiny is intense when they misuse them. As far as we can tell, the New York Jets signal-caller has come to appreciate the point where his past comments about the covid-19 vaccine are concerned. With that in mind, Aaron Rodgers can be credited for having rethink on his previous stance.

New Aaron Rodgers autobiography raises questions

According to reports, this coming week will see the release of sports writer Ian O’Connor’s latest book, an unauthorized autobiography on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As you can probably imagine, there’s been a fervent search for talking points, but perhaps the one that has caught the eye of most fans is what Rodgers had to say - via ESPN - about the immunization controversy that surrounded him during the global pandemic, something that was rooted in comments that he made in 2021.

If you missed it, Rodgers was at the time still on the roster of the Green Bay Packers when he was asked by the media if he had been vaccinated against covid-19, to which the 40-year-old responded by explaining that he was “immunized.” At that point, the NFL and its fans logically assumed that Rodgers was vaccinated, however, as is the case with most assumptions, it never ends well. Not long after, Rodgers tested positive for the virus and as such had to wait an extended period of time - longer than vaccinated players - to be reinstated on the field. Truthfully, it would mark the start of a turbulent period for the four-time MVP as he became an increasingly vocal player off the field. Indeed, Rodgers soon became a player known more for his off-the-field activities i.e., advocating for the use of psychedelics as well as partaking in a darkness retreat, than throwing pin-point passes.

OK, but what did Aaron Rodgers say about vaccination?

Off the bat, the new autobiography showcases a version of Rodgers who has no qualms about admitting that he regrets the way in which the whole saga developed. What’s more, is that Rodgers went on to admit to state that have been more truthful with the public about his status rather than simply saying he was “immunized.” Interestingly, the soon-to-be-published unauthorized autobiography also goes on to suggest that Rodgers - by his own admission - suffered a blow to his public image as a result of his decision to be evasive when it came to his vaccination status. Rodgers went further, explaining that the stance was based on “the crux of my appeal.”

“If there’s one thing I wish could have gone different, it’s that, because that’s the only thing [critics] could hit me with,” Rodgers said in the book. The Super Bowl winner didn’t stop there either. “...But if I could do it again, I would have said [in August], f--- the appeal. I’m just going to tell them I’m allergic to PEG, I’m not getting Johnson & Johnson, I’m not going to be vaxxed,’” Rodgers said in the new book which is titled “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers”.

Looking back, it would be silly to think that it was Rodgers’ stance on covid-19 vaccines that brought about the end of his time with the Packers - things were already shaky between the two - but it would also be naive to think that it didn’t play a role in his departure. Ultimately, whether it was his references to holistic treatments or his anti-vaccine position, Rodgers created a public image that was never going to be sustainable.

To that end, we’re back to what the average fan wants to know which is ‘Can Aaron Rodgers still compete with the best?’ This is after all a player who tore his Achilles just minutes into his debut with the New York Jets in Week 1 of this past season. On the other hand, it’s also Aaron Rodgers. So again, rhetoric aside, while these recent revelations will turn a head or two, the only thing that will really matter to fans this coming season is whether Rodgers can get the job done when Week 1 rolls around in the 2024-25 NFL season.