Rodgers holds firm, admits being misleading on status
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday he stands behind the comments he made last week about why he didn’t get vaccinated for COVID-19, but acknowledges misleading some people about his status before testing positive.
Rodgers spoke on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and SiriusXM, four days after discussing on the same outlet his reasons for avoiding a vaccine. Rodgers tested positive Wednesday, was unavailable to play in the Packers’ 13-7 loss Sunday at Kansas City and remains quarantined in his Green Bay home.
“I shared an opinion that’s polarizing,” Rodgers said. “I get it. And I misled some people about my status, which I take full responsibility of, those comments. But in the end, I have to stay true to who I am and what I’m about. I stand behind the things that I said.”
Later Tuesday, the NFL fined the Packers $300,000 and issued $14,650 fines to Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard for violations of league and players’
union protocols. ESPN first reported the fines.
When he was asked about his vaccination status in an Aug. 26 news conference, Rodgers replied by saying, “Yeah, I’m immunized.”
Rodgers had said Friday he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.
BROWNS RB CHUBB TESTS
POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 » The Browns didn’t have much time to celebrate their biggest win this season before being hit with another off-field issue.
Star running back Nick Chubb is being placed on the COVID-19 list after testing positive and could miss this week’s game at New England, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.
One of the NFL’s best backs, Chubb is going on the list along with rookie running back Demetric Felton, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not made the transaction official.
It’s still possible Chubb and Felton, who are both vaccinated, could play against the Patriots this week as long as they’re symptom free and have two negative tests separated by 24 hours.
MLB
SF FILLS WOTUS’ SPOT WITH POSEY’S OLD COLLEGE ROOMIE » The Giants announced three moves on their coaching staff, filling spots vacated by longtime third-base coach Ron Wotus and assistant hitting coach Donnie Ecker.
San Francisco promoted Mark Hallberg to third base coach after he spent the prior two years on Gabe Kapler’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Hallberg, 35, was Buster Posey’s teammate at Florida State. Hallberg’s arrival in Tallahassee is the reason why the recently retired Giants star moved from shortstop to catcher.
“I was like, ‘This guy’s more talented with the glove than I am at shortstop,’” Posey told The Athletic in 2019. “It was pretty obvious we were going to be a better team with him at that position.’”
Soccer
WONDOLOWSKI TAKES ON NEW ROLE WITH QUAKES » Though San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski announced his retirement from playing, he won’t be leaving the team any time soon.
At a news conference honoring Wondolowski’s 17-year career on Tuesday, general manager Chris Leitch announced that the leading goal scorer in MLS history will now be a special assistant to the GM.
Wondolowski announced his retirement on the field at PayPal Park Sunday, immediately after the Quakes ended their season with a 1-1 tie against FC Dallas. Fittingly, San Jose’s only goal in the match was scored by Wondolowski, whose 171 goals are 26 more than any other player. CBS TO MAKE US QUALIFIER
AT JAMAICA ONLY AVAILABLE AS STREAM » CBS, which has the U.S.-English language rights to the Americans’ World Cup qualifier at Jamaica next week, said Tuesday it will make the Nov. 16 match available only on its Paramount+ subscription streaming service.