Rodgers denies belief in Sandy Hook claims
Aaron Rodgers spoke out Thursday on X in the wake of a CNN report that alleged he floated conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in private conversations.
“As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnec- essary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community,” the Jets quarterback posted.
The tragic events that unfolded in Newtown, Conn., in 2012 claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.
A video posted by Fox 6 Milwaukee in 2013 shows Rodgers’ response to the shooting on 540 ESPN Milwaukee, in which he said, “I hope that we can learn from this, and look for the signs more and not ever have something like this happen and keep this on our minds.”
CNN reporter Pamela Brown claimed in the story that she had an interaction with Rodgers at the Kentucky Derby in 2013 in which he allegedly expressed a belief that the Sandy Hook massacre “was actually a government inside job and the media was intentionally ignoring it.”
The report claimed that there was at least one other individual with whom Rodgers had shared conspiracy theories regarding Sandy Hook.
“They’re all making it up. They’re all actors,” an unnamed CNN source said Rodgers claimed about the parents of the victims — who he allegedly also believed were actors.
CNN published the story after it was confirmed this week by The Post that Rodgers is a potential running mate for Robert F. Kennedy’s independent presidential campaign.
According to Rodgers’ friend and ESPN host Pat McAfee, the Jets quarterback was on a retreat to use the psychedelic drug ayahuasca in Costa Rica when the news broke that he is being considered for the vice presidential spot on RFK Jr.’s campaign ticket.
Kennedy is slated to unveil his running mate on March 26 in Oakland, Calif., and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is also among the candidates.
The quarterback has long been a friend and a supporter of Kennedy, with the pair having gone hiking last month.
Rodgers, 40, tore his Achilles on just the fourth snap in the Jets’ opening game against the Bills in September and missed the remainder of the season.
In recent months, he has come under scrutiny for implying ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s name would appear on a list of Jeffrey Epstein associates during an appearance on McAfee’s show.
Rodgers later claimed he was taken out of context, and that he did not believe Kimmel would be on the list.