The Green Bay Packers season took a gut punch. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for Covid-19 and will not play for possibly two games. Rodgers seemed to have broken several covid protocols in the first half of the season. The quarterback has not been wearing a mask when he was around players and coaches from his team. From the outside looking in, it looked like Rodgers was vaccinated. Green Bay knew his stats; the Packers are also at fault for knowingly allowing Rodgers to break protocols. Jordan Love is set to show that he’s the future of the Packers.
In August, Rodgers was asked by the media if he had the vaccine for Covid- 19. His answer was, “ Yeah, I’ve been immunized”. It seems like Rodgers was playing loose with the facts. Rodgers went to a specialist of his own. The league denied Rodger’s use of any other methods. The QB could face punishment and Green Bay would be fined. Several teams were penalized, lost draft picks, and fined for breaking covid protocol. New Orleans Saints received the biggest fine totaling $1.45 million and a pick in the 2022 NFL Draft due to repeated violations. League officials during training camp went from team to team to make sure they were aware of the protocols and laid out what was agreed upon by the league and the NFL Players Association.
“I believe strongly in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body, not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture or crazed group of individuals who say you have to do something,” Rodgers said during a lengthy rebuttal to what he suggested was misinformation reported over the past several days. “Health is not a one-size-fits-all for everybody and for me it involved a lot of study in the offseason.”
The NFL is reviewing the situation. A league spokesperson said in a statement: “The primary responsibility for enforcement of the Covid Protocols within Club facilities rests with each Club. Gathering outside of the team facility or team travel groups of three players or more can result in a $14,650 fine. Being at in-person meetings, practices, and training activities outside of team facilities with other players, coaches, or staff is also punishable by $14,650. Refusal to submit to testing results in a $50,000 fine, while repeat offenders of any protocols will be subjected to “increased discipline.”
Because he’s unvaccinated, Rodgers must isolate for 10 days and isn’t eligible to rejoin the team until Saturday, a day before the Packers play against the Seahawks. Love might get another game depending on his performance in his debut. Rodgers and the Packers have been on a tear since a season-opening loss. This breakdown in judgment could derail the whole season for Green Bay.
