{"id":2639799,"date":"2026-08-03T16:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignabsolute-coward-nfl-qb-aaron-rodgers-nukes-fauci-for-refusing-to-address-covid-lies\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:51:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:51:18","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignabsolute-coward-nfl-qb-aaron-rodgers-nukes-fauci-for-refusing-to-address-covid-lies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignabsolute-coward-nfl-qb-aaron-rodgers-nukes-fauci-for-refusing-to-address-covid-lies\/","title":{"rendered":"Aaron Rodgers Nukes Fauci For Refusing To Address Covid Lies"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignabsolute-coward-nfl-qb-aaron-rodgers-nukes-fauci-for-refusing-to-address-covid-lies%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2639799&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Anthony Fauci has faced widespread mockery for refusing to answer questions about his Covid-related lies during a Senate hearing. This criticism has extended to the world of professional sports, notably during a recent ESPN interview where NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized fauci, comparing his own forthcoming NFL season to pleading the Fifth, calling Fauci an &#8220;absolute coward&#8221; for refusing to answer questions about his role in Covid research and misinformation. Rodgers highlighted Fauci&#8217;s refusal to address funding of gain-of-function research, downplaying the lab leak theory, and concerns over Covid vaccine risks and treatments, citing newly released diaries showing Fauci\u2019s self-serving behavior and collusion with media. Rodgers also criticized the mainstream media for covering up Fauci\u2019s misconduct and emphasized his own stance against the oppressive Covid policies, praising doctors who followed the data and opposed Fauci\u2019s narrative. The discussion underscored Rodgers\u2019 commitment to his principles and his belief that he is on the right side of history. ESPN\u2019s McAfee team also mocked Fauci\u2019s decision to plead the Fifth, highlighting ongoing skepticism about Fauci\u2019s conduct during the pandemic.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/anthony-fauci\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthony Fauci<\/a> has received much-deserved mockery for his <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/fauci-invokes-fifth-amendment-refuses-to-answer-for-his-covid-corruption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">refusal<\/a> to answer for his many Covid lies during last week\u2019s Senate hearing. And that ridicule is now coming from one of the country\u2019s largest entertainment venues: professional sports. <\/p>\n<p>The latest incident came about on Monday, when NFL quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/aaron-rodgers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a> tore into the former White House Covid czar during a live taping of ESPN\u2019s <em>The Pat McAfee Show<\/em>. The longtime athlete was one of several Pittsburgh Steelers players interviewed at the team\u2019s training camp. <\/p>\n<p>When asked by McAfee what his mentality is heading into his final NFL season, Rodgers responded, \u201cI\u2019m gonna plead the Fifth like that absolute coward Tony Fauci.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbsolute coward. Are you kidding me? You got a pardon and \u2026 he pleaded over a hundred times. \u2026 What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/corner\/fauci-criticizing-me-is-criticizing-science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the science<\/a>\u2019?\u201d Rodgers said.<\/p>\n<p>Fauci\u2019s refusal to answer lawmakers\u2019 questions <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/theblaze\/status\/2082454043843018854?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">about<\/a> his role in <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/02\/28\/fauci-and-ecohealths-peter-daszak-silenced-lab-leak-conspiracy-theory-congress-shouldnt-let-them-forget-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">funding<\/a> gain-of-function research in China, <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/27\/fauci-toadies-privately-called-lab-leak-theory-highly-likely-while-publicly-shutting-it-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">downplaying<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignfauci-gave-10-speeches-and-interviews-in-2026-before-refusing-to-testify-to-congress\/\" title=\"Fauci Made 10 ... Appearances Before ... To Testify\">credible lab leak theory<\/a>, and ignoring the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/theblaze\/status\/2082460090418815129?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Covid shots\u2019 risks<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DschlopesIsBack\/status\/2082462130096201874?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">potential Covid treatments<\/a> came days after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., released the former health official\u2019s \u201cdiaries.\u201d The records revealed more of Fauci\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/27\/if-you-thought-anthony-fauci-was-an-egomaniac-wait-until-you-read-his-covid-diary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">self-aggrandizing behavior,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/27\/here-are-all-the-media-hacks-who-got-shoutouts-in-faucis-diary-for-giving-him-tongue-baths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collusion<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/28\/poynter-rewards-chuck-todds-activism-with-journalism-honor-days-after-diary-reveals-he-strategized-with-fauci\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corporate media<\/a>, Covid <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/27\/faucis-diary-shows-5-major-covid-lies-he-told-the-american-public\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">falsehoods<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n<p>During his interview with McAfee, Rodgers blasted legacy media for <a href=\"https:\/\/newsbusters.org\/blogs\/nb\/curtis-houck\/2026\/07\/31\/how-elitist-media-and-news-apps-rushed-faucis-defense\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">whitewashing<\/a> the revelations and Fauci\u2019s conduct after <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/11\/10\/media-still-losing-it-over-unvaxxed-aaron-rodgers-putting-lives-at-risk-ignore-henry-ruggs-deadly-drunk-driving-crash\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">obsessing<\/a> over his Covid vaccination status and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce\u2019s wedding. The Steelers quarterback was one of the few major cultural figures at the time to openly <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2022\/01\/05\/aaron-rodgers-calls-out-those-who-wont-vote-for-him-for-mvp-over-vaccination-status\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">push back<\/a> against America\u2019s insane Covid response. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat are they gonna say about me now? Now that you can\u2019t talk about the Covid stuff because obviously it was made in a lab in China, that\u2019s like not even questionable anymore; Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal; I\u2019m on good terms with my family \u2026 what are you gonna say now?\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cI thought you had a pardon there, Tony, why couldn\u2019t you answer one question the entire time?\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<p>McAfee explained how Rodgers consulted with his doctors about whether or not to get the Covid shot, and how that \u201cbecame a talking point of Covid \u2026 around the entire globe.\u201d The ESPN host noted how he was called \u201ca murderer\u201d for platforming Rodgers, who he added \u201cwas making the decision that was best for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs soon as I see all this start happening with Fauci, I knew that, boy, you [Rodgers] were certainly having a time because your name was slandered. You were called a murderer, you were called a lot of things,\u201d McAfee said.<\/p>\n<p>They said \u201cI was endangering my teammates \u2026 and now look what happened. \u2026 They suppressed early treatments; they lied about where it came from. Tony Fauci\u2019s writing in his journal about, \u2018I don\u2019t wanna \u2026 create any vaccine hesitancy if I tell them what the actual stats are,\u2019\u201d Rodgers said.<\/p>\n<p>The Steelers quarterback further credited medical specialists like Peter McCollough, Robert Malone, and other doctors \u2014 \u201cwho actually did treatment on the front end and repurposed drugs that are the safest profiles in the world\u201d \u2014 for following the data and standing against the unscientific policies pushed by Fauci and Co.<\/p>\n<p>In closing out the discussion, McAfee gave Rodgers props for standing behind his principles throughout the entire fight, praise which elicited cheers from the audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel great about it. I told you I would be on the right side of history,\u201d Rodgers said.<\/p>\n<p>McAfee and his team previously <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PatMcAfeeShow\/status\/2082862943503298986?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">poked fun<\/a> at Fauci\u2019s decision to plead the Fifth last week. The skit was based on comments by Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/30\/sports\/amused-eagles-dc-copied-anthony-faucis-pleading-the-fifth-did-you-guys-see-that\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mocked<\/a> Fauci during a recent press conference. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NFL star Aaron Rodgers mocks Fauci\u2019s Covid lies publicly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2639800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Aaron-Rodgers-1024x576.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[42670,50410,4127,4434],"class_list":["post-2639799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-aaron-rodgers","tag-controversy-2","tag-covid","tag-fauci"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Aaron-Rodgers-1024x576.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2639799"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2639803,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639799\/revisions\/2639803"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2639800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2639799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2639799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2639799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}