New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is known for giving controversial takes to the media. The four-time NFL MVP is a well-known vaccine skeptic and admitted he misled the media about taking the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2020 season.
During an interview with ESPN’s Pat McAfee in December of 2023, Rodgers said he believed he was on the “right side of history” regarding his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shots.
“As I sit here today, I feel like I’m definitely on the right side of history, and went through a lot of (expletive) for an opinion that was my own personal belief based on what was best for my body,” Rodgers said. “And in an era of censorship and quelling free speech, I’m glad that I took the stand that I did and welcoming more and more people to the side of freedom and free speech.”
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers’ comments went viral
On Friday, Dov Kleiman reposted the interview, claiming that Rodgers still believes he was vindicated by not receiving the vaccine.
“New Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers believes he was on “the right side of history” after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” Kleiman wrote. “Rodgers received significant backlash for this. Aaron continues to stand by this to this day.”
New Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers believes he was on “the right side of history” after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Rodgers received significant backlash for this.
Aaron continues to stand by this to this day. pic.twitter.com/wVThVYjPmk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 4, 2025
NFL fans on social media responded to the update
“In the United States, there have been 1,193,165 confirmed deaths from Covid-19,” wrote a fan. “I had numerous family members who died from the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine was effective in reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
“While their effectiveness against infection may wane over time and with new variants, the vaccines remain a crucial tool for public health according to the overwhelming thoughts of the medical profession and the experts at the CDC, BUT no lets believe Aaron Rodgers and random people on social media who dropped out of high school for your medical advice.”
“Well he’s obviously correct. Everyone who took the boosters regrets it Us non vaccinated patriots are happy with our choice,” posted another.
“Not sure why this was every controversial. His body his choice. And the shots NEVER did anything to protect others from getting COVID, so it wasn’t as if he was endangering others.” believes a poster.
“Why does he think not getting a vaccine makes him some kind of legend?, asked a poster.
“Yea and he was 100% right..not a percent..not 50 percent……100%. Death shot given to kill us and it worked. 30M worldwide,” posted another.
“No one cares. And he lied, if he had that much conviction why not say it with his chest during it,” wrote a poster.
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