NFL fines Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers for breaking league's COVID protocol

The NFL has fined Green Bay Packers players — quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard — for breaking league protocols set for unvaccinated players. Aaron Rodgers came under fire earlier this week for revealing he wasn't vaccinated, after earlier stating that he had been 'immunized.' Rodgers and Lazard attended a Halloween party despite being unvaccinated, violating the protocol prohibiting unvaccinated players from gathering outside of team facilities in a group of more than three players. The Packers were also fined for violation of protocols, failure to report the violations to the NFL, and failing to discipline the players for the violations, reported CNN.

Packers were fined $300,000, while Rodgers and Lazard were each fined $14,650, said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. NFL said Packers did not sanction the party but were aware of it. "We respect the League's findings and we recognize the importance of adherence to the COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy," said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. "We will continue to educate the team regarding the importance of the protocols and remain committed to operating within the protocols." The league added that the Packers were very cooperative during NFL's investigation. Officials also revealed other instances of the team failing to strictly enforce the protocol.

In the wake of the revelation that Rodgers isn't vaccinated, NFL noted that Rodgers should have been wearing a mask during press conferences. The league also warned that the players could be disciplined in the future for additional violations. Rodgers had opened up about being unvaccinated on 'The Pat McAfee Show' after he tested positive last week. As we reported earlier, Rodgers explained why he didn't get vaccinated and admitted to taking Ivermectin as a cure for Coronavirus. "I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself," Rodgers told former NFL punter McAfee and his former linebacker teammate A.J. Hawk.

"Some of the rules, to me, are not based in science at all. They’re purely trying to out and shame people, like needing to wear a mask at a podium when every person in the room is vaccinated and wearing a mask – makes no sense to me," said Rodgers of the NFL protocol. "If you got vaccinated to protect yourself from a virus I don’t have as an unvaccinated individual then why are you worried about anything I could give you?"

Following a severe backlash, Rodgers took "full responsibility" for his comments, on Tuesday. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar slammed the Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for damaging the reputation of professional athletes after he misled the public into believing he was fully vaccinated. "Instead of consulting immunologists, he consulted anti-vaxxer and podcast host Joe Rogan, who also contracted the virus. If he ever requires open-heart surgery will he hand the scalpel to romance writers because they know about matters of the heart? While many who came into contact with him thought he was vaccinated, Rodgers had embarked on his own regimen to boost his “natural immunity.” He failed, as any scientist could have told him—and as they have been publicly telling us for over a year," wrote Abdul-Jabbar on his Substack page.

"What’s especially bothersome is that Aaron Rodgers didn’t just lie and threaten the health of those around him, he also damaged professional sports. Many athletes make a lot of money on product endorsements, which depends on the public’s favorable perception of athletes. Steph Curry and LeBron James don’t have to worry, but some up-and-comers might not get the same opportunities," wrote the NBA legend. "Rodgers’ ignorance regarding the science of immunology brings back to life the old stereotype of the big dumb jock. His utter lack of even the most basic knowledge and logic is shocking." 

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