Notes: Aaron Rodgers tests positive for COVID-19, controversy ensues

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and will miss at least the next 10 days of activities, including this weekend’s game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the reigning MVP contracting the COVID virus is a story on its own, what makes this situation unique, is Rodgers has been implying to the media all along that he was vaccinated: “Yeah I’ve been immunized,” Rodgers said back in August.

Whoops.

Turns out, what Rodgers was referring to was an alternative treatment he received from his personal physician, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and not an NFL approved vaccination method.

“Rodgers received homeopathic treatment from his personal doctor to raise his antibody levels and asked the NFLPA to review his status,” Rapoport reported. The players’ union, the NFL-NFLPA jointly designated infectious disease consultant and the league agreed that Rodgers’ treatment did not provide any documented protection from the coronavirus.”

Therefore, the league considers Rodgers an unvaccinated player and he has been subject to following the stricter protocols the league requires. How much he has been following those rules has been brought into question.

At a press conference earlier this afternoon, Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur insisted the Packers have been following the league’s protocols properly, but if the league determines that to be false, they—and Rodgers—are subject to fines and penalties. For example, the Steelers and Ravens were fined for mask violations last November, to the tune of $100,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Sounds like this story is just getting started.

Now, on to the rest of today’s NOTES:

• Sticking in the NFL for another moment, former Lions kickers Zane Gonzalez (Panthers) and Randy Bullock (Titans) were the NFC and AFC special teams players of Week 7, respectively. Well, at least we know the Lions know how to scouts kickers.

• Lions legend Barry Sanders is making personalized videos via Cameo and donating the proceeds to the Detroit Lions Foundation. It costs a pretty penny ($500 for personal use), but hey, if you’re interested you can get it done here.

• Speaking of donating to charity, POD Movember is off to a great start and if you want to contribute, you can donate here.

• Detroit News’ Justin Rogers handed out some midseason grades (for $ubscribers) in a 40 slide gallery that addresses all the key contributors from the first half of the 2021 season.

• In another midseason article, this time from Detroit Lions website writer Tim Twentyman, he identifies 5 areas the team needs to improve. Let’s be honest, getting it down to five is impressive.

• Speaking of Lions... Amani Oruwariye, Julian Okwara, and T.J. Hockenson were at last night's Pistons game, keeping the recent tradition of local sports stars supporting each other.