Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy stated that his players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are free to hold their own opinions but maintained that the team's focus remains on football.
Rodgers recently made a 13-minute appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show, during which he sharply criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing him as a "coward" and a "criminal." Rodgers' remarks followed Fauci's testimony before a Senate committee on COVID-19, where Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times.
During his appearance, Rodgers questioned Fauci's decision to plead the fifth and criticized the media's coverage of the hearing, suggesting it was less than what was given to his own past statements on vaccination status. Rodgers, who had previously faced scrutiny for his skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, asserted that he believed he was on the "right side of history."
"You got a pardon and you pleaded over 100 times? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science?" Rodgers stated on the show. He also questioned the origins of COVID-19, suggesting a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the likely source, a point that remains under investigation.
In response to Rodgers' comments, Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, issued a statement saying, "Aaron Rodgers doesn't know what he's talking about. He should stick to football."
McCarthy, when asked about Rodgers' public statements, emphasized the mature environment within the Steelers' locker room. "These are grown men. They all have different opinions. There’s no question about that," McCarthy told reporters. "But at the end of the day, my job is to keep it about football, keep the focus on winning. That’s why we’re here."
The Steelers coach added that the team has a player council that meets regularly, indicating a structured approach to team matters. "We have a good locker room. We have a player council that’s in place and we had our second meeting (Monday), and so I think we’re in a good spot," McCarthy said.
Rodgers' commentary on Fauci and COVID-19 protocols comes years after he received criticism for his stance on vaccine requirements during the pandemic. At the time, he stated he was "immunized" but did not specify whether he had received the vaccine, leading to questions about his adherence to NFL protocols.
ESPN executives reportedly plan to exclude Rodgers' NFL highlights from their broadcasts during the 2026 season following his remarks.
