Aaron Rodgers has only seen a minute of play on the field this season, but that doesn’t stop him from being in the middle of the fray, discussing opposing positions on the COVID-19 vaccine with a famous player these days, Travis Kelce .
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Kelce, who recently came into the spotlight for his relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift, was featured in a Pfizer ad campaign promoting the vaccine.
Rodgers, who tore his Achilles tendon in his first game as Jets quarterback, had fun calling Kelce “Mr. Pfizer” during his appearance on the popular Pat McAfee Show last week.
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Kelce responded to the remark, saying he found it “pretty funny.”
“Who would have thought I would get into a vaccine war with Aaron Rodgers? “It’s Mr. Pfizer versus the Johnson & Johnson family,” he added, referring to the family that owns the jets and whose company is also behind a vaccine.
Travis Kelce alluded to the connection between Rodgers and Johnson & Johnson, the family that owns the Jets. Getty Images via AFP
Invited to debate
The comment appeared to offend Rodgers, who has never endorsed the vaccine. He did it again on his last visit with his buddy Pat McAfee.
“It’s fascinating. People were really upset about it. The Johnsons were good to me. I don’t mind if he calls me Mr. Johnson & Johnson. I don’t play for the Johnson & Johnson group, I play for the New York Jets.
“I made a very small joke about a man who represents a company that is potentially… more than potentially, we know it’s a corrupt company and everyone is losing their minds,” he said. He cursed.
Jets owner Woody Johnson talks to Aaron Rodgers. Getty Images via AFP
On the way to a debate?
Rodgers went on to suggest the idea of a deeper debate about the vaccine.
“There is a lot of propaganda. Mr. Pfizer said he didn’t think he would get into a vaccine war with me. It’s not a war, friend, it’s a conversation. But if you’re up for a duel or a debate, invite me to your podcast or come on this show.
“With help we could do this. I would bring my husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and you could bring Anthony Fauci or another pharmacologist to discuss all of this,” the quarterback said.
It remains to be seen whether Kelce, who isn’t typically the type to get involved in big controversies and is in the thick of things for the Chiefs, will heed the call.