Anthony Fauci's lawyer has told Aaron Rodgers to stick to football after the NFL quarterback unleashed a series of attacks on the former White House COVID-19 adviser during an appearance on «The Pat McAfee Show.» David Schertler, Fauci's attorney, was asked by The Athletic to respond to Rodgers' criticism and delivered a blunt verdict.
«Aaron Rodgers doesn't know what he's talking about. He should stick to football,» Schertler said.
Rodgers' criticism came days after Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, a session led by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., that examined Fauci's response to the pandemic and his policy decisions while he was advising the White House. During the hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right 111 times and declined to answer questions. Lawmakers on the committee also accused him of funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China.
On «The Pat McAfee Show,» Rodgers made clear he believed Fauci should have answered the committee's questions. «Are you kidding me? You get a pardon, and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science, and you get up there and can't answer a question? What are we doing?» he said.
Rodgers did not stop there. He said Fauci had spent the hearing writing in his diary about how much he enjoyed being famous. «Spending the entire time writing in his diary about how fun it is to be famous,» Rodgers said, calling Fauci an «absolute criminal.» «It's been a great life and a great career, and it's nice to be sitting on this side now, especially after that coward pled the Fifth over 100 times,» he added. He also challenged Fauci's decision to remain silent, saying, «I thought you had a pardon there, Tony. Why couldn't you answer one question the entire time?»
The quarterback's remarks were the latest turn in a long-running public dispute with the scientific and medical establishment. Earlier in the pandemic, Rodgers sparked intense scrutiny when he said he was «immunized» rather than confirming whether he had received a COVID-19 vaccine. That episode fueled years of questions about his views on public-health guidance and made him a frequent target of criticism.
Rodgers has said this season will be his final year in the NFL, but his public remarks have continued to reach far beyond football. The current season marks 22 years for the quarterback in the league, and he has shown no sign of avoiding controversy as he prepares to end his career.