NFL rivals fume at Aaron Rodgers’ modest punishment amid vaccination storm

The NFL has slapped Green Bay Packers icon Aaron Rodgers with a modest punishment, and some rival teams are not impressed.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after beating the Washington Football Team 24-10 in the game at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The NFL has slapped Aaron Rodgers with a modest US$14,650 (AUD$20,000) fine for violating the league’s Covid-19 protocols after the embattled quarterback attended the Green Bay Packer’s Halloween party.

The unvaccinated Rodgers was also disciplined for not wearing a mask at news conferences, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported.

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The league also levied an AUD$409,000 fine against the Packers organisation and a $20,000 fine on receiver Allen Lazard, who like Rodgers was unvaccinated.

“We respect the League’s findings and we recognise the importance of adherence to the Covid protocols to keep our team and organisation safe and healthy,” Packers president Mark Murphy told ESPN.

“We will continue to educate the team regarding the importance of the protocols and remain committed to operating within the protocols.”

The NFL launched its investigation after Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 last week, and went on to confirm that he is unvaccinated against the virus.

The Packers are said to have been warned that future violations could result in a potential change in draft position or the loss of a draft choice, according to ESPN.

However, some NFL teams reportedly aren’t satisfied with the league’s handling of its investigation into the Packers and Rodgers over the Covid-19 protocol violations.

Other NFL teams are said to be “p***ed” about what they feel is an unfair punishment, according to ProFootballTalk, compared to other disciplines the league has handed down to teams and players that have violated Covid-19 protocols.

“That’s bull***t,” one source told the website.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Photo by Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

For instance, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was fined $136,000 for failing to properly wear a face-covering in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season. The team was also fined $682,000 last November for a maskless, post-game celebration, and was also docked a draft pick at the time.

As of Thursday, Rodgers has not publicly reacted to the results of the investigation.

During the quarterback’s weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, Rodgers sounded optimistic that he could play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. He also admitted that he “misled” the public in regard to past comments about his vaccination status.

The reigning NFL MVP will finish his 10-day isolation period on Saturday and must clear certain health hurdles before he can be cleared to rejoin the team.

Rodgers still stands by his stance, but plans to stop speaking about vaccinations in future.

“I’m an athlete, I’m not an activist,” Rodgers said. “I’m gonna get back to doing what I do best and that’s playing ball. Further comments I’m gonna keep between me and my doctors.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers’ fiancee Shailene Woodley, the Hollywood star, this week also came out and criticised the social media backlash to the drama surrounding her partner.

Her comments came after hit TV show Saturday Night Live lampooned Rodgers in a scathing skit.

With AFP and the New York Post