Ahead of the highly-anticipated, inter-conference matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers, a critical piece of news has broken with the report that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19. The unforeseen and most shocking aspect of this news is the fact that Rodgers, after previously telling members of the media he was “immunized” against COVID-19, is reportedly unvaccinated, meaning that he will need to be isolated from the team for a period of at least 10 days.
The NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement at the end of August to implement new protocols to protect its players and personnel against COVID-19, but came short against requiring those on the field to take the vaccine. In an article on the NFLPA website, the Players Association says that even though it believes “the vaccine is both safe and effective, players have the choice whether to take it or not.”
Rodgers reportedly received a homeopathic treatment from his personal doctor in an effort to increase his antibody levels in seeking to prevent COVID-19. He then petitioned the NFL to recognize him as vaccinated, which was denied by the league. Despite being considered unvaccinated, Rodgers has defied many of the league protocols, which includes going to events outside of the team facility, and neglecting to wear a mask while indoors. The league is currently investigating Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers for violations of the protocols, which have the potential to result in fines and/or a suspension for the 37-year-old quarterback.
Since the news of Rodgers’ genuine vaccination status broke, members of the media have been voicing their opinions on the precarious situation, and whether Rodgers should even be allowed to suit up again in the National Football League. On Thursday afternoon, Dan Dakich, on his eponymous program, The Dan Dakich Show, said Rodgers need not be truthful with the media, as he owes them nothing in his press conferences or interviews.
“Aaron Rodgers doesn’t owe these ridiculous media folks a damn thing,” said Dakich, the primary show host broadcast on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis, Ind. “Does he owe his teammates? Maybe. But he doesn’t owe any of these idiots in the media anything. Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nada.”
Rodgers has been in the headlines on more than just the websites and social media pages of sports outlets, such as ESPN, Fox Sports and the NFL. His perceived deceitfulness in vaccination status was mentioned on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC and Today on NBC.
Dan Dakich says that he has never been a fan of the 9x Pro Bowler and 2011 Super Bowl Champion, but that he does not need to elucidate on his reasons for turning down the vaccine. Instead, Dakich asserts that members of the media need to be focused on having more integrity in their overall reporting.
“I’ve been involved in 11 national things,” said Dakich, “[and] the media has never been right… I was a part, not for me, but for Indiana Elite, of one of these ‘breaking news allegations investigations [sic].’ I read it, and it couldn’t have been more wrong by ESPN.”
The afternoon drive host and former college basketball analyst for ESPN expanded his discussion on the matter to athletes when they are dealing with the media in general. In his view, it is up to the player to divulge what they wish to tell members of the media, and likewise, up to the player to determine whether the information they divulge will be truthful. Ultimately, he argues it is the responsibility of the media to recognize the lie, if one exists, and concurrently probe and inquire to obtain the facts.
“A media guy asks you a question — you don’t owe them one second of the truth, in my opinion,” said Dan Dakich. “[If] a guy wants to come on here and start lying through his teeth on my show, it’s up to me to catch that lie. [Rodgers] said [he] was immunized or whatever. Well, in his mind, he might have been. [He doesn’t] owe nothing to nobody.”
The Green Bay Packers face the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST in “America’s Game of the Week” on Fox, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman set to be on the call. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will provide reports from the sidelines of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., where the news surrounding the Packers’ star-player will most definitely be discussed. The game will also be aired across the radio networks for both the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs, and will also be available to listen to on Sirius Satellite Radio and Compass Media Networks coverage of the NFL.
