
In July 2021, Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers quarterback, told reporters that he was immunized when asked about his vaccination status. However, in November 2021, he tested positive for COVID-19, revealing that he was not vaccinated and had deliberately misled the public. Rodgers has since expressed regret for his choice of words, but not for creating a false impression. He stands by his decision to remain unvaccinated and has faced criticism from fellow athletes and the media for his actions and opinions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Aaron Rodgers say he was vaccinated? | Aaron Rodgers said he was "immunized" in July 2021, but did not explicitly say he was vaccinated. |
| Did he receive a COVID-19 vaccine? | No, he tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021. |
| Did he regret saying "immunized"? | Yes, he regretted using the word "immunized" because it created a false impression. However, he did not regret deliberately misleading people about his vaccination status. |
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What You'll Learn
- Aaron Rodgers said he was immunized in July 2021
- He regrets this statement, but not for misrepresenting his vaccination status
- Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021
- He has been criticised by other athletes and sports analysts for his comments
- Rodgers has stated he will play one more season before disappearing from the public eye

Aaron Rodgers said he was immunized in July 2021
In July 2021, Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he was "immunized" when they asked him whether he had been vaccinated. He later admitted that he deliberately used the word "immunized" to avoid having to admit he wasn't vaccinated and to avoid following the rules for unvaccinated players. Rodgers has been criticized by many, including former NFL star Terry Bradshaw, for deliberately misleading the public about his vaccination status. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, an NBA legend, also criticized Rodgers, saying that his "ignorance regarding the science of immunology brings back to life the old stereotype of the big dumb jock."
Rodgers, however, remains unapologetic about how he handled the situation and has tried to re-litigate the issue. In January 2024, he said, "Do they still not understand why I said 'immunized'? Do they know that I was in an appeal process? Not to mention, like, I don't know what you would call it if you go to a homeopathic doctor and you get taken to an immunization process, what do you say you are?".
Rodgers has expressed regret for using the word "immunized", but not because he misled people about his vaccination status. He claims that the primary reason he used the word was that it represented "the crux of my appeal," and he wishes it could have been different because it is the only thing critics can use against him. Despite the controversy, Rodgers remains strident in his stance and has shown no real regrets about how he navigated the pandemic.
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He regrets this statement, but not for misrepresenting his vaccination status
In July 2021, Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he was "immunized" when asked whether he had been vaccinated. Rodgers later tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021, revealing that he was not vaccinated and had deliberately misrepresented his vaccination status.
While Rodgers has expressed regret over his "immunized" comment, it is not because he misled people about his vaccination status. Instead, he regrets that he tested positive, as this exposed his lie. In other words, he wishes he could have avoided the consequences of his actions without ever having to admit the truth.
Rodgers has tried to justify his choice of words, claiming that he was in an appeal process and unsure of how to describe his immunization status. However, critics argue that he was being deliberately misleading to avoid admitting that he was unvaccinated and had to follow the rules for unvaccinated players.
Some have accused Rodgers of being dishonest and threatening the health of those around him. Despite the backlash, Rodgers remains unapologetic about how he handled the pandemic and has tried to re-litigate the issue. He has also stated that he only regrets the comment because it gave critics ammunition to attack him, rather than showing genuine remorse for any potential harm caused by his actions.
In conclusion, while Aaron Rodgers regrets his statement about being "immunized," his regret stems from being caught in a lie rather than remorse for misrepresenting his vaccination status. His handling of the situation continues to be a source of controversy and criticism.
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Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021
In November 2021, Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, tested positive for COVID-19. This news sparked controversy regarding his vaccination status.
Prior to the start of the season, Rodgers had declared that he was "immunized". In August 2021, when asked by reporters whether he had been vaccinated, he responded, "Yeah, I've been immunized." However, following his positive COVID-19 test, it was revealed that Rodgers was unvaccinated. He had not received any of the three approved vaccines but had instead undergone a homeopathic treatment to increase his antibodies, which the National Football League (NFL) does not consider to be vaccination.
As a result of his unvaccinated status, Rodgers had to isolate for at least 10 days per NFL protocol, causing him to miss the upcoming game on Sunday, November 7, 2021, and potentially the next game as well. This sparked frustration and disappointment among fans, who felt misled by Rodgers' previous statements. Some critics accused him of deliberately misleading the public and ignoring the rules for unvaccinated players.
Rodgers acknowledged that he could have been clearer about his vaccination status and that his choice of words may have misled some people. However, he stood by his comments, explaining that he was in an appeal process with the NFL regarding his immunization status. He expressed regret for testing positive, not because he contracted the virus, but because it exposed his unvaccinated status.
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He has been criticised by other athletes and sports analysts for his comments
In July 2021, Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he had been ""immunized" against COVID-19. However, in November 2021, it was revealed that he was not vaccinated when he tested positive for the virus. This sparked criticism from other athletes and sports analysts, who accused him of being dishonest and misleading the public.
One of the most prominent critics of Rodgers was Terry Bradshaw, a former NFL star and current television sports analyst. Bradshaw called out Rodgers for lying to everyone about his vaccination status, saying, "It would have been nice if he'd just come to the Naval Academy and learned how to be honest. Learned not to lie. Because that's what you did, Aaron. You lied to everyone." Bradshaw also expressed disappointment in Rodgers' individualistic attitude and his play on words, calling his actions selfish.
Another critic, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wrote a lengthy blog post criticizing Rodgers. Abdul-Jabbar accused Rodgers of lying and threatening the health of those around him, stating that Rodgers' "ignorance regarding the science of immunology brings back to life the old stereotype of the big dumb jock." He further emphasized that Rodgers' actions damaged professional sports.
ESPN analyst Ryan Clark also joined the chorus of criticism, branding Rodgers a "fraud" and "blatantly hypocritical." Clark's comments came in response to Rodgers' remarks about ESPN hosts lacking credibility while the quarterback himself was being financially compensated for his opinions. Clark highlighted the contradiction in Rodgers' statements and the celebrity status he leverages to engage in media criticism.
In addition to these individuals, other NFL analysts, such as Howie Long, also expressed disappointment in Rodgers' conduct. They characterized him as arrogant and entitled, emphasizing that his actions had negative consequences for those around him and the perception of professional sports.
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Rodgers has stated he will play one more season before disappearing from the public eye
In June 2025, Aaron Rodgers announced that he would play one more season before disappearing from the public eye. The four-time league MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion signed a one-year deal with the Steelers as a free agent, marking his 21st season in the NFL and first with the team.
Rodgers made his intentions clear on "The Pat McAfee Show," stating that he does not want the attention or to live a public life. He expressed his desire to protect his privacy and that of his wife, who he emphasized is a private person. The quarterback also accused paparazzi of "stalking" and media outlets of publishing sensitive information or fabricating stories about them.
Rodgers' statement about retiring from public life after his final season has sparked skepticism. Some find it hard to reconcile his desire for privacy with his high profile in popular culture, including numerous commercials, a hosting stint on "Jeopardy!," and a Netflix documentary.
Additionally, Rodgers has faced scrutiny for his controversial comments about COVID-19 vaccines, claiming to be "immunized" without explicitly stating his unvaccinated status. This led to criticism from figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who accused him of lying and endangering those around him. Rodgers later expressed regret for his choice of words but maintained his stance on the issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in July 2021, Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he was immunized.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers received criticism for his comments on being "immunized." Many people accused him of deliberately misleading the public and lying about his vaccination status.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers has expressed regret for his comments. However, he stated that he regretted being caught in a lie rather than misleading people about his vaccination status.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers explained that he chose the word "immunized" carefully as part of a "'chess match' with reporters. He wanted to force them to ask follow-up questions and clarify whether "immunized" meant vaccinated.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021, which revealed that he was not vaccinated. This incident damaged his public image, and he faced criticism from various individuals, including other athletes and sports analysts.




































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