“Right side of history”? Aaron Rodgers’ wildest off-field moments revisited

Aaron Rodgers is known for being one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But he’s just as often in the spotlight for controversial off-field behavior. Just this week, he made a comment on “The Pat McAfee Show”, saying that his decision to not get vaccinated for Covid-19 made him feel that he was “on the right side of history”.

His infamous COVID-19 vaccine saga began in 2021, when he misled reporters by claiming he was “immunized” despite not being vaccinated. His stance sparked wide backlash and fines from the NFL.

That’s just one of the many divisive comments Rodgers has made since then, as that’s really where it all began. Here are some of the other aspects of Rodgers’ off-the-field life that have garnered controversy over the years.

Aaron Rodgers’ most controversial moments: From COVID comments to conspiracy claims

Covid-19 vaccine

While we’re on the topic, let’s start with this one. Rodgers, who refused to get vaccinated, actually came down with Covid-19 in November 2021. At the time, the NFL had strict rules for players who were not vaccinated, but Rodgers broke the protocol - going to parties with teammates and refusing to wear a mask when speaking to reporters. He had to pay a $14,650 fine and the Green Bay Packers had to pay a $300,000 fine for not reporting his violations and for not enacting some sort of punishment.

As for his comments about being “immunized”, Rodgers said it was “the truth”. He defended his anti-vaccination stance by saying he’s “not some sort of anti-vax-flat-Earther”. He called himself a “critical thinker” and said he believes “in bodily autonomy”.

9/11 and other conspiracy theories

Rodgers has embraced conspiracy theories, going on about them on podcasts. A report came out saying that he suggested the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting may have been staged. He did not deny saying so, but has since said he doesn’t believe that.

In November 2022, DeShone Kizer, the Packers’ QB2 at the time, said that Rodgers had once encouraged him to question whether or not the September 11 attacks really occurred, saying he should “read up on that”.

“He shut the door, and the first thing that comes out of Aaron Rodgers’ mouth was ‘Do you believe in 9/11?’” Kizer said on “The Breneman Show”.

In 2023, Rodgers told New York Jets teammate Zach Wilson that AirPods and other similar headphones cause damage to the brain due to electromagnetic fields.

Ayahuasca helped him win MVP awards

In 2022, Rodgers opened up about experimenting with ayahuasca, a pyschoactive brew which people sometimes take in order to reconnect with themselves or help with mental issues such as depression and PTSD.

Rodgers said on “The Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that it was because of his experimentation with ayahuasca that he won two straight NFL MVP awards (2020, 2021).

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I really don’t. I don’t really believe in coincidences at this point,” he said. “It’s the universe bringing things to happen when they’re supposed to happen and there’s signs and synchronicities all around us at all times if we’re awake enough to see them and to take them in and to listen to our intuition when it’s speaking to us or, you know, pounding us in the head saying, ‘Hey dummy, this is what you’re supposed to be doing.’”

Feud with Jimmy Kimmel

In 2021, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel made fun of Rodgers’ Covid-19 vaccine stance, which sparked a feud that ended up going on for years. Kimmel called Rodgers a “tin foil hatter”.

Things escalated in January 2024 after Rodgers implied Kimmel might be named in unsealed court documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On “The Pat McAfee Show”, Rodgers suggested “a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel” would hope their names weren’t on the list, adding he’d “pop a bottle” if Kimmel was.

Kimmel quickly fired back on X, vehemently denying any connection to Epstein and threatening legal action. He accused Rodgers of spreading “reckless” and “phony” conspiracy theories that endangered his family.

Rodgers has since said he “wishes Kimmel the best” and claimed he wasn’t directly accusing the comedian of anything. Still, he has not issued an apology. The feud remains unresolved, fueled by Rodgers’ frequent appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” and his continued dabbling in conspiratorial commentary.

Estranged family

Rodgers has been estranged from his family for years, with the rift becoming public during his brother Jordan Rodgers’ 2016 appearance on “The Bachelorette”. Jordan revealed they had little relationship, attributing it to Aaron’s lifestyle choices. The divide worsened after Jordan and their other brother, Luke, criticized Aaron for allegedly not supporting the family during the 2018 California wildfires, and Aaron also missed Jordan’s 2022 wedding.

In his 2024 Netflix docuseries “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma”, Aaron reflected on the growing distance, saying it started in high school and worsened over time. He criticized Jordan and the show’s producers for dramatizing the estrangement by leaving two empty chairs at a family dinner on “The Bachelorette”. Aaron also said that his departure from Christianity and exploration of other spiritual paths, including plant medicine, caused further tension within the family.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.