Steelers React to Aaron Rodgers’ Viral Rant on Dr. Fauci

The Pittsburgh Steelers have issued a statement following quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ lengthy tirade against Dr. Anthony Fauci on ESPN.

“Conversations surrounding culture and politics often present varying viewpoints, and our players are entitled to their individual opinions,” said Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten to WTAE-TV. “In that regard, I’m sure there are numerous opinions on a variety of subjects within our locker room.”

Rodgers, 42, appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, August 3, where he heavily criticized Fauci, 85, for invoking his Fifth Amendment rights multiple times during a Senate hearing on July 29.

“I’m going to plead the fifth like that complete coward, Tony Fauci,” Rodgers stated. “Absolute coward. Are you serious? You got a pardon, and you invoked it over 100 times at the White House?” (Fauci was granted a preemptive presidential pardon by former President Joe Biden on January 20, 2025.)

The Steelers quarterback further questioned, “What are you afraid of, Tony? I thought you represented science. I thought you were saying, ‘I am science,’ and yet you can’t provide answers?”

Rodgers didn’t stop with Fauci; he also took aim at ESPN and the sports media landscape for focusing on his contentious COVID-19 stance, including his refusal to get vaccinated and subsequent dishonesty about it.

“How much airtime did the network dedicate to that?” he questioned. “How much did they cover my responses weekly regarding my vaccination status? Did they spend even a minute on Taylor [Swift] and Travis [Kelce’s] wedding? I doubt they did.”

Rodgers also erroneously claimed Fauci was “writing in his diary about how enjoyable it is to be famous.”

“Honestly, what are they going to label me now?” he asked. “Now you can’t discuss the COVID matter because it’s clear it was created, you know, in a lab in China. That’s not even debatable anymore. Tony Fauci is an outright criminal.” (There is no credible evidence supporting the claim that COVID-19 was intentionally crafted in a lab.)

In response to ongoing criticism regarding his Senate hearing performance, Fauci’s attorney released a statement to Us.

“The situation regarding Dr. Fauci’s appearance today before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, following a subpoena issued by Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY), unfortunately made his continued cooperation unfeasible,” the statement indicated. “For that reason, upon the advice of his legal counsel, Dr. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right under the U.S. Constitution to decline answering questions.”

The statement went on, “Dr. Fauci has dedicated his extensive career to saving millions of lives worldwide through scientific exploration and effective public health policies. The claims that Chairman Paul continues to disseminate are false and disgraceful, and we will explore all options to hold him accountable.”