Aaron Rodgers has vowed to address the uproar he caused when he suggested Jimmy Kimmel be added to Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates during his next appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
Kimmel threatened the New York Jets quarterback with legal action last week after Rodgers made the claims against McAfee during his weekly guest appearance.
Rodgers had his first opportunity to elaborate on his comments Monday at a press conference with the Jets, now that their NFL season was over.
He was asked if he had any regrets and told reporters, “I'll talk about it on the show tomorrow. 'Turn On.'
Rodgers' mockery came during his appearance last week when he began outlining a conspiracy theory about the colors of the NFL's Super Bowl emblems and predicting the teams that will play the big game this season.
Aaron Rodgers said he would address his Jimmy Kimmel comments on The Pat McAfee Show
Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show last week that Kimmel would be on the Epstein list
The panel was stunned by the NFL star's lengthy explanation, and co-host AJ Hawk interrupted to jokingly ask if it was the Epstein list.
Rodgers took the opportunity to strongly condemn his longtime nemesis, saying, “There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, who are hoping that this list doesn't get published.”
Kimmel responded to List that night “except for the obviously false nonsense that soft-brained lunatics like you can't seem to distinguish from reality,” the comedian raged.
“Your reckless words have put my family in danger. “Keep it up and we will continue to discuss the facts in court.”
Notably, the next day, McAfee claimed that Rodgers was simply shitting on Kimmel, with whom he had previously argued, but apologized for the conversation that had taken place on his show.
“There were some things that were probably, I mean, we need to hear from Aaron about this, that were meant as nonsense that can become a very serious allegation that becomes a huge story overnight,” McAfee said.
“But I can totally understand why Jimmy Kimmel felt that way, especially given his position, but I think Aaron was just trying to talk shit.”
“Has it gone too far? Um, Jimmy Kimmel certainly said that was the case. But that's Aaron and Jimmy, that's who they were [jousting a bit].
The late-night TV host responded angrily to X, saying Rodgers' claims had “put my family in danger.”
Stephen A. Smith has asked Rodgers to apologize to Kimmel for his Epstein comments
“We obviously don't like that we're ever associated with anything negative.” We want our show to be uplifting, joyful and entertaining. But just because we talk shit and make light of everything, some things are obviously very upsetting, especially when they involve such serious allegations.
“So we apologize for being involved in that.” I can't wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully the two of them can just sort this out.'
Stephen A. Smith, a colleague of McAfee's at ESPN, called on Rodgers to apologize to Kimmel.
“He didn’t know what Aaron Rodgers was going to say,” Smith said of McAfee. “I feel like Pat McAfee hit the nail on the head when he said Aaron Rodgers just wanted to attack him.” [Kimmel]”He was just joking, he didn't necessarily mean anything like that,” Smith said.
“But let me say this to Aaron Rodgers: Jeffrey Epstein is nothing to joke about.”
“I love Aaron Rodgers, everyone knows he's a bad man, you know me.” But Aaron Rodgers should just apologize. Plain and simple. Just make the situation less complicated. Even if you don't like Jimmy Kimmel, say that too!'