Aaron Rodgers kicked off what he says will likely be his final NFL season by unloading on Dr. Anthony Fauci, the media and past coverage of his personal life during a live appearance Monday on The Pat McAfee Show from Steelers training camp.
The four-time MVP was initially asked by McAfee how his perspective had changed entering what the host described as Rodgers’ “last rodeo.”
Instead of answering directly, Rodgers took aim at Fauci, who last week repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing examining the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m gonna plead the fifth … like that absolute coward Tony Fauci.”
Rodgers continued his criticism by questioning why Fauci, despite receiving a presidential pardon, declined to answer lawmakers’ questions.
“Are you kidding me? You got a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony?” Rodgers continued on the Pat McAfee Show. “I thought you were the science. ‘I am science,’ and you get up there and you can’t answer a question?”
The veteran quarterback then shifted to the intense scrutiny he received over his own COVID-19 vaccination status, arguing television networks spent far more time covering him than Fauci.
“And how much time did the network spend at that? How much time did they spend on my responses very week? On my vaccination status? On Taylor (Swift) and Travis (Kelce)’s wedding?” he said. “Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? I bet they didn’t.”
Aaron Rodgers when asked about his mindset coming into his last season, via @PatMcAfeeShow:
“I’m gonna plead the fifth. Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward.”pic.twitter.com/0vNWdLjGJf
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 3, 2026
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Rodgers also referenced what he called “another scandal this offseason involving a voter for MVP, for coach of the year,” before turning the conversation back toward ESPN.
“How much time did your network spend on that?” he said.
McAfee responded with, “Whoa … our network?”
The discussion soon returned to Fauci, with Rodgers bringing up the former health official’s recently released diary.
“Go back to the coward Tony Fauci? … Who’s spending the entire time writing in his diary about how fun it is to be famous?” he said. “You gotta be kidding me.
“What are you gonna say about me now? … Now that you can’t talk about the covid stuff because obviously it was made in a lab in China, that’s like not even questionable anymore.”
Rodgers then escalated his criticism, calling Fauci “an absolute criminal.”
“I’m on good terms with my family — what are you gonna say now?” he said, referring to years of media attention surrounding his personal relationships.
McAfee wrapped up the exchange by telling Rodgers the past few seasons had been a “fun ride.”
“It’s been a great life and a great career,” Rodgers replied.
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