Additional information emerges on Aaron Rodgers COVID drama
The Green Bay Packers are being investigated by the NFL for their handling of Aaron Rodgers and his current positive tests for COVID. As the Packers fall under more scrutiny or their enforcement of the league’s COVID protocol, a blatant violation has happened in plain sight.
On Wednesday, while speaking to the media about the league’s investigation into Green Bay, Rodgers took to the podium to answer questions himself. However, in the video of the Packers quarterback speaking to the media, he was absent his face mask throughout the process. This lead many to wonder whether or not Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers just committed a violation of the league’s COVID protocol. And NFL senior reporter Albert Breer gave us insight on if a rule break was committed.
“Checked on whether Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was in violation of COVID-19 protocols by talking to the media unmasked. Was referred back to rules that unvaccinated players must be masked at all times inside team facilities – which includes press conferences. so the answer is yes,” wrote Breer on Twitter.
Why the Packers are being investigated behind Rodgers
The NFL is currently reviewing the Green Bay Packers after Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID. They are looking to see the organization’s level of enforcement of the league’s COVID protocols. Rodgers, along with cornerback Isaac Yiadom, has been placed on the league’s reserve slash COVID-19 list.
Under league protocol, if Rodgers test positive and is not vaccinated, he must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days and cannot return until after Nov. 13 at the earliest, if he remains asymptomatic. When addressing the issue of his quarterback’s absence, head coach Matt LaFleur refused to divulge Rodgers’s vaccination status.
The NFL released this statement regarding the matter.
“The primary responsibility for enforcement of the COVID protocols within club facilities rests within each club. Failure to properly enforce the protocols has resulted in the discipline being assessed against individual clubs in the past. The league is aware of the current situation in Green Bay and will be reviewing the matter with the Packers.”
The league’s interest in the matter is still unknown at this point. But one thing to consider is the request of Rodgers before the season. The Packers quarterback had an alternative treatment prior to the start of training camp, after which he petitioned the NFL for the treatment to be considered the same as someone who received one of the approved vaccinations. But his petition was denied after consultation, and he is considered to be unvaccinated. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the 17-year NFL vet is still unvaccinated against the coronavirus.