Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets quarterback, recently made a playful jab at Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar, over his COVID-19 vaccine commercial that has been appearing on everyone’s TVs. During his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers referred to Kelce as “Mr. Pfizer” and took the opportunity to have some fun while analyzing his team’s performance on Sunday Night Football against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
“I think there’s some sentiment that there’s some sort of moral victory out there that we hung with the champs and that our defense played well,” Rodgers said with a smile on his face. “Pat didn’t have a crazy game and Mr. Pfizer, we kind of shut him down a little bit. He didn’t have a crazy impact game.” McAfee, the host of the show, couldn’t help but burst out in laughter over Rodgers’ new nickname for Kelce, and his cohost A.J. Hawk grinned and shook his head.
While the exchange between Rodgers and McAfee appeared to be in good fun, it came at a time when Rodgers was already facing controversy over the COVID-19 vaccine. In August 2021, Rodgers infamously stated that he was “immunized” when asked about whether he had received the vaccine. However, it was later revealed that he had not received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, but claimed to be allergic to parts of them. He had planned to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but it was pulled from distribution due to concerns about blood clots.
Rodgers has been sidelined with a torn Achilles since Week 1, so it’s understandable that he may be annoyed by Kelce’s commercial popping up during every media time-out. However, it’s worth noting that Kelce’s commercial is not the only mention of the NFL star in the post. Taylor Swift is also mentioned, although the context of her mention is unclear.
The playful jab from Rodgers highlights the camaraderie and banter that can exist among NFL players, even when they are competitors on the field. It also showcases the ongoing conversation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines in professional sports and the larger public discourse. As athletes continue to navigate the pandemic and make decisions regarding their own health and safety, controversies and debates are likely to arise.
In the end, it’s important to remember that Rodgers’ comment about Kelce was made in jest and should be taken with a sense of humor. It’s all part of the dynamic nature of the NFL and the personalities that make the game exciting for fans. Whether you’re a fan of Rodgers, Kelce, or both, it’s always entertaining to see players engage in lighthearted banter off the field.
