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See the full story · 2 sourcesAug 03, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) takes the field for a practice session at Training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
On Monday afternoon, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sparked plenty of reaction after making blunt and controversial remarks about former National Institutes of Health leader Anthony Fauci, who testified before Congress last week.
Although Rodgers’ comments quickly generated controversy, it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans to discipline him over the remarks.
Rodgers Blasts Fauci
Fauci, whose medical guidance played a key role in leading the United States through the COVID-19 pandemic, drew headlines after invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during last week’s congressional hearing, reigniting criticism over the government’s pandemic response. Rodgers, who was a vocal opponent of the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, used his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday to once again criticize Fauci.
When McAfee posed a football-related question during the show, Rodgers bypassed the topic entirely and instead directed his attention toward Fauci.
“I’m gonna plead the fifth, like that absolute coward, Tony Fauci,” Rodgers said with a big smile .
“Are you kidding me? You got a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times at [Capitol Hill]? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science. I thought you were, ‘I am science,’ and you get up there, and you can’t answer a question? What are we doing? And how much time did the network spend with that, how much time did they spend on my responses every week, on my vaccination status, on Taylor and Travis’ wedding? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci?”
McAfee tried to steer the discussion back toward football, but Rodgers continued his criticism, referring to Fauci as “an absolute criminal.”
“You can’t talk about the COVID stuff, because obviously it was made in a lab in China; that’s not even questionable anymore. Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal. I’m on good terms with my family … what are you gonna say now?” Rodgers said.
Steelers Make Decision
Despite the attention surrounding Rodgers’ comments, it does not appear the organization intends to take any disciplinary action.
“Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views ,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten told WTAE-TV, via Steelers Depot . “With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room.”
This statement from the Steelers comes after ESPN declined to comment on Rodgers’ comments, which were aired on ESPN.
‘A bunch of cowards’
Needless to say, this decision from the Steelers sparked outrage from fans.
“Steelers and ESPN are a bunch of cowards,” one fan wrote in a post on X .
“Gonna be a great year! maybe Aaron can tear his other achilles and just keep using his mouth!” someone else wrote .
“The Steelers have no other choice to accept everything that comes with having him on your team. Drew Allar will be the starter next year and he won’t be on Pat McAfee,” a commenter wrote .
“Gonna be a long season,” someone else added .
Prominent NFL analyst and insider Mike Florio also spoke out against this statement from the Steelers, saying that Rodgers’ comments were a gratuitous distraction.
“It’s an accurate observation,” Florio wrote of Pittsburgh’s statement, “but the real question is what does coach Mike McCarthy think about it? Coaches loathe distractions, and Rodgers gratuitously created one on Monday.”
Clearly, the Steelers are planning to stand by Rodgers despite his political statements.
The post ‘A bunch of cowards’: Steelers spark outrage with Aaron Rodgers decision after Fauci comments appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions .
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