Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher offered his political analysis of Aaron Rodgers as a potential candidate for public office during an interview on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Tuesday.
Urlacher played against Rodgers twice a year from 2008, when Rodgers took over as the Green Bay Packers’ starter, until Urlahcer’s final season in 2012. But after retirement, Urlacher finds himself on the same side as Rodgers on many political issues. One aspect of Rodgers’ reputation that Urlacher believes makes the quarterback a viable candidate for public office one day is that he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Aaron would be a good person because of everything that happened with the vaccine, not taking it, standing up for people who didn’t want to get the vaccine,” Urlacher said. “A lot of guys that played in the NFL didn’t have a choice because they were younger and if they didn’t get the opportunity they probably would just get cut.”
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Aaron Rodgers attends the 76th Annual Tony Awards on June 11, 2023 at the United Palace Theater in New York City. (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Rodgers sparked controversy over his vaccination status in November 2021, when he tested positive for COVID and had to miss several games with the Packers. Rodgers had previously said he was “immunized” when asked by reporters if he received the vaccine during training camp in August.
The NFL fined the Packers $300,000 and issued $14,650 in fines to Rodgers for violations of league and players’ union protocols, calling his comments about being immunized “misleading.”
But while many fans turned against Rodgers after that, Urlacher believed it was a moment that could have also garnered support.
“I like that he stood up for the people, the smaller guy, that he stood up for them…Aaron really stood up for them,” Urlacher said. “They put him through hell for that, they gave him a lot of criticism in the media, the NFL made it difficult for those guys who didn’t get the vaccine, they tested them every day, they went through a little more of a grueling schedule than the others. guys who ended up getting the vaccine.”
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts after a missed throw against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on December 15, 2024. (Images by Morgan Tencza-Imagn)
After testing positive for the virus in November of that year, Rodgers clarified that he used the term “immunized” to describe a homeopathic treatment regimen and not a vaccine. Rodgers also said at the time that he was allergic to polyethylene glycol, which is an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and that he was also concerned about possible adverse reactions to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
During an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” in November, Rodgers apologized for “misleading” people about his vaccination status.
Aaron Rodgers has staunchly defended his decision not to get vaccinated. (IMAGE)
“I made some comments that people might have considered misleading,” he said. “And to anyone who felt misled by those comments, I take full responsibility for those comments.”
However, Rodgers also staunchly defended his decision not to get vaccinated.
“I’m an athlete, not an activist. So I’m going to get back to doing what I do best and that’s playing ball,” Rodgers said. “I shared my opinion. It was not a frivolous opinion. It took a lot of study and what I felt was best for my body. But the rest of the comments I will keep between me and my doctors, and I have no further comments on any of those things after this interview.”
