The Pittsburgh Steelers moved quickly Monday after Aaron Rodgers sparked another round of backlash with an outspoken appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he went after Dr. Anthony Fauci and ESPN.
Rodgers, who has long questioned COVID-19 vaccine guidance, said he planned to “plead the Fifth” when McAfee asked about his mindset entering what he has described as his final NFL season. The comment was aimed at Fauci, who repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during a tense Senate hearing last week.
“Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci,” he said.
“You got a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times? What are you scared of, Tony?”
Rodgers also took a shot at ESPN, arguing the network gave Fauci’s Senate testimony far less attention than it gave his own vaccine-status controversy in 2022.
The Steelers’ response was aimed at separating Rodgers’ personal views from the organization itself. Team spokesman Burt Lauten said in comments provided to Fox News Digital/OutKick, two conservative media outlets:
“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.”
Fauci’s Senate testimony came after diary entries published by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., covering 2019 to 2022. Those entries reportedly contained private remarks about COVID-19’s origins and Fauci’s acknowledgment that he “convinced” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to close schools in 2020.
This is not the first time the Steelers have had to answer for a player’s public political appearance. In May 2025, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph joined former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier at a Trump rally in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. When fans complained, the team said:
“Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions and these do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.”
At that rally, the president told the crowd Rudolph “is going to be the guy.” Rudolph will be backing up Rodgers once again this season.
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