Steelers Support Aaron Rodgers After He Unloads on Fauci & ESPN

Aaron Rodgers walked into Pat McAfee‘s training camp setup on Monday and did not hold back, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were quick to issue a formal response once the fallout began. The appearance, Rodgers’ first on The Pat McAfee Show since March, generated immediate controversy and prompted Pittsburgh TV station WTAE to seek comment from the organization directly.

It is the kind of off-field moment that has followed Rodgers throughout his career. During a nearly 30-minute appearance, Rodgers revisited familiar grievances. He repeatedly called Dr. Anthony Fauci a coward for invoking the Fifth Amendment during a recent Congressional hearing on his handling of COVID-19, and took aim at the NFL for restrictions imposed on him during the 2021 season.

He also directed sharp criticism at ESPN for focusing on softer-interest stories, including coverage of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, while avoiding harder topics such as the controversy involving reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

McAfee noted before the interview that Rodgers told him he was not going to hold back. That proved accurate. Rodgers also expressed a preference to appear on the show more regularly.

The Steelers’ Official Response

WTAE emailed the Steelers for comment following the appearance. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten replied directly via email: Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about it Tuesday before practice and pointed back to Lauten’s statement. McCarthy said that Lauten’s statement really summed it up, adding that these are grown men with different opinions and that his job is to keep the focus on football and winning. He noted that the team’s player council had already met twice and that he felt the group was in a good spot.