New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never been one to shy away from creating controversial headlines. He made a name for himself in that regard with the Green Bay Packers, and those fiery traits have followed him to his new team.
Rodgers attended the US Open on Sunday night to watch tennis star Novak Djokovic, which he considered a “bucket list” item. While watching the match, Rodgers took to Instagram Stories to share his anti-vaccine beliefs, something he has in common with the tennis star.
“#NovaxDjokovic” Rodgers wrote while drawing a red line through an advertisement for Moderna, one of the makers of the coronavirus vaccine. “Bucket list being able to witness the greatness of [Djokovic] in person at Arthur Ashe Stadium.”
Aaron Rodgers latest Instagram story 💀 pic.twitter.com/DJgySAzcvM
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 4, 2023
Rodgers and Djokovic have been two of the most outspoken critics of the coronavirus vaccine.
Djokovic missed last year’s US Open because his vaccination status meant he couldn’t enter the United States. But in May, the Biden Administration lifted that requirement for travelers to the United States.
Djokovic beat Croatia’s Borna Gojo in straight sets Sunday night to advance to the quarterfinals, where he faces American Taylor Fritz.
“I have zero regret on [not getting the coronavirus vaccine, I’m just glad to be back,” Djokovic told reporters before the tournament, according to The Daily Mail.
The NFL world was quick to react to the news:
Your regular reminder that Aaron Rodgers is in fact a dangerous conspiracy theorist. https://t.co/oqXZaXgtmb
— Ben Rathe (@benrathe) September 4, 2023
Yes Aaron Rodgers is a 🤡 but tweeting this while your team’s owner is the heir to Johnson & Johnson is an elite level of buffoonery. https://t.co/js9ukkvVzA
— Solomon (@Solomon_Selby) September 4, 2023
New York you’re in for an interesting season. I think by week 12 everything is sideways. https://t.co/usTCjIMCPt
— Jeremy Ross (@JeremyAdamRoss) September 4, 2023
Why can’t any Legendary Packers Quarterback not be a POS or insane. Within 10 years after he retires he’s getting arrested for something or dying. https://t.co/1LBHd4MvUQ
— Leftist Chaos Simp 🇵🇸🇦🇲🇬🇾 (@Perplexedplague) September 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/Ohhdy_/status/1698677857050931286