Major NFL star backs anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. for U.S. health secretary role
RFK Jr. had his HHS confirmation hearing on Wednesday as he looks to take over as the Health and Human Services secretary, with the support of one NFL star.
On Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill as he looks to take over as the Health and Human Services secretary for President Donald Trump’s administration. RFK Jr. has received backlash due to his anti-vaccination views, but he has the support of one major NFL star, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers gives full support to RFK Jr.
A few weeks before the hearing, Rodgers warned senators to “come ready” for RFK Jr.
“Like, please, somebody try and get after him and just watch him absolutely mop the floor with any of these senators,” Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Try and see if you can pull one over on my boy, Bobby, because Bobby’s f***ing smart, dude.”
AARON RODGERS: “I wanna watch [RFK Jr’s] confirmation hearing and just see who tries to f**k with him. Please, somebody try and get after him and just watch him absolutely mop the floor with any of these senators.”pic.twitter.com/0Ep2Uo8bCJ
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 29, 2025
Rodgers has been open about his anti-vaccine stance as well and has been a loud and proud supporter of Kennedy. RFK Jr. was even considering Rodgers as his running mate for his failed presidential campaign, which was shown on the Netflix docuseries following Rodgers, “Enigma”.
“He just wants to make sure that everything that’s being given to our kids is safe, everything that we’re ingesting on a day-to-day basis is safe, and he’s going to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ or is going to freaking die trying,” said Rodgers.
In 2023, Kennedy said on a podcast: “I think some of the live virus vaccines are probably averting more problems than they’re causing. There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.”
However, during his confirmation hearing, Kennedy insisted that he is not in fact anti-vaccine, but rather that he supports more stringent studies and tests. He said that his words were taken out of context.
RFK Jr. has peddled and profited off of dangerous conspiracy theories and half truths.
— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) January 29, 2025
He is unqualified to lead HHS. He is unqualified to be in charge our country's health.
I am voting NO for his nomination. pic.twitter.com/WSrHDGZsak
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Despite criticism from Democrats, there are many Republicans who back Kennedy’s stances, along with Rodgers. Today, he will take more questions from lawmakers as he faces the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
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