Considering how poorly the Packers played against the Chiefs over the weekend, it鈥檚 no wonder they can鈥檛 wait to get reigning Most Valuable Player awardee Aaron Rodgers back from quarantine. Second-string quarterback Jordan Love was far from efficient in his absence. Perhaps at any other time, going 19 of 34 for 190 yards (and in the process claiming one touchdown and absorbing one interception) would have been excusable; after all, sophomores aren鈥檛 expected to perform admirably, no matter the skill set and declared potential. On the other hand, all eyes were on the National Football Conference North Division leaders, and, by extension, the backup under center. And, when the battlesmoke cleared, those same eyes were cast downward for a reason.
To be sure, Rodgers deserves his fair share of blame for his inability to suit up in the first place. It wasn鈥檛 that he contracted the COVID-19 virus; no one 鈥 not even the vaccinated 鈥 is free from infection. It was that he placed himself at greater risk of exposure because he 鈥渇ound a long-term immunization protocol to protect myself.鈥 Which is to say he believes 鈥渢he research that went into that鈥 and which he is 鈥減roud of鈥 trumps science; never mind that it鈥檚 actually based on misinformation predicated on taking a drug for head lice.
In a wide-ranging interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers argued that he didn鈥檛 lie when he described his vaccination status before a throng of scribes way back in August. He was asked then if he had been vaxxed, and he said 鈥淵eah, I鈥檝e been immunized.鈥 As things turned out, he meant 鈥渋mmunized鈥 according to his voodoo definition following extensive discussions with 鈥渘ow good friend鈥 Joe Rogan, who 鈥 despite not having a medical degree alongside podcast hosting duties 鈥 prescribed 鈥渕onoclonal antibodies, ivermectin, zinc, Vitamin C and [desethylhydroxychloroquine]. I feel pretty incredible.鈥
Well, 鈥減retty incredible鈥 doesn鈥檛 cut it after testing positive for the virus, and after being disingenuous on the matter. Deliberately skewing how facts are presented in order to present a favorable picture underscores Rodgers鈥 recognition of right from wrong. Else, why not come clean from the get-go? He鈥檚 worse than, say, the Nets鈥 Kyrie Irving, who at least had the courage to leave everything out in the open. Subscription to conspiracy theories and flat-earth sentiments aside, his deception most definitely put in danger those around him.
Vaccinated players are subject to less-stringent protocols by the National Football League. They don鈥檛 need to be masked during press conferences or while with a larger crowd. He afforded himself all those privileges despite knowing he should have been more circumspect 鈥 if not for himself, then for others. Instead, he brazenly flouted regulations. And because the league has been slow to react, he can鈥檛 be blamed for thinking he鈥檚 a marquee name operating under a different set of rules.
Based on the latest rumblings, the Packers are slated to be fined for their breach of safety measures. Rodgers may or may not be docked some money, as well. If reports are true, however, he鈥檚 not about to face any suspension for his willful act of disobedience. Which is just too bad. The NFL is sending all the wrong messages, and time will tell if these will bite them in the end.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
