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Aaron Rodgers discusses positive COVID-19 test: 'I'm in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now'

Aaron Rodgers made his first public comments Friday after testing positive for COVID-19. The Green Bay Packers quarterback made his usual appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," where he spoke about the "woke mob" and "cancel culture" while explaining why he has not been vaccinated.

McAfee gave Rodgers an open floor to start the discussion. Rodgers began by blaming the "woke mob" for coming at him.

"I realize I'm in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now," Rodgers said. "So before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I think I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself."

Rodgers said he did plenty of research on the vaccines, but discovered he is allergic to something in the mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines. He said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine became his only option, but when that got pulled in April because of blood clotting issues, he sought other treatments.

Rodgers did not go into detail on his treatment plan.

Rodgers asked the Packers to "accept my immunization status as under their vaccination protocol." Rodgers said he didn't believe some of the league's protocols were based on science, and were instituted to shame players to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The league informed Rodgers he was considered unvaccinated.

Rodgers said he started to feel sick Tuesday night and tested positive Wednesday. He said he "didn't feel great" Thursday, but feels better Friday.

Rodgers placed blame on the media, saying reporters were "on a witch hunt" to identify which players were vaccinated. He also blamed reporters at the news conference where Rodgers said he was "immunized." Rodgers said if any reporter asked a follow-up question, Rodgers would have explained he's "not an anti-vax flat earther," but that he's a "critical thinker."

Aaron Rodgers of the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers attempted to explain why he didn't get vaccinated against COVID-19. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Rodgers continued to speak uninterrupted. He invoked "my body, my choice," thanked Joe Rogan for giving Rodgers advice and quoted Martin Luther King Jr.

Jordan Love will start with Aaron Rodgers out

Since Rodgers is unvaccinated, he must miss 10 days under NFL protocol. He will not be available to play when the Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Jordan Love will start at quarterback with Rodgers out.

Love spoke to reporters Friday and confirmed he is vaccinated. Love wore a mask at his media session because he's a close contact to Rodgers. If Love was not vaccinated, he would have had to go into a five-day quarantine once he was deemed a close contact to Rodgers under the NFL's protocols.

That five-day quarantine may have affected Love's ability to play in Week 9. As long as Love doesn't test positive for COVID-19 prior to Sunday's game, he'll get the start.