Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back on TV this week, this time renewing his feud with Dr. Anthony Fauci in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. But the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to just let him do his thing and his head coach is too.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that his focus is on football and that if Rodgers has opinions, he's entitled to them. He also added that he expects the locker room's player council to ensure that the players stay united.
“You know, these are grown men,” McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday. “They all have different opinions. There’s no question about that. But at the end of the day, my job is to keep it about football, keep the focus on winning. That’s why we’re here. We have a good locker room. We have a player council that’s in place and we had our second meeting yesterday, and so I think we’re in a good spot.”
As much as the Steelers might have rolled their eyes at Rodgers talking health and politics in public again, the team made it clear that they respect his right to talk about whatever he wants.
"Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room," Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement.
© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.
Stick to Football?
The Steelers may respect Rodgers' right to espouse his beliefs but many fans are exhausted by seeing him (and almost anyone) inject politics into their favorite sport.
"We are the Pittsburgh Steelers and most people would prefer to stick to football. It was awkward and unnecessary in the environment that he was in," one fan wrote on X.
"They are entitled to their own personal views. I however don't want to hear them while I'm trying to watch training camp coverage," wrote another.
"It was very cringe," a third remarked.
Well, if it's any consolation to the fans, Rodgers has announced that he's retiring at the end of the season. So anyone who has an issue with Rodgers talking politics during training camp won't have to do so for much longer.
