Aaron Rodgers delivered a number of zingers in his first interview since testing positive for COVID-19, including his shared approval of ivermectin with Joe Rogan.
During an impromptu appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, Rodgers said he sought advice from the podcast host about treatments for coronavirus.
“I’ve consulted with a now-good friend of mine, Joe Rogan, after he got COVID and I’ve been doing a lot of the stuff that he recommended in his podcasts and on the phone to me,” Rodgers said while addressing the turmoil surrounding his vaccination status.
Rogan announced on Instagram in September that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and took “all kinds of meds,” including ivermectin — a deworming drug used to prevent heartworm disease and treat certain internal and external parasites in animals.
The Food and Drug administration has warned people to stop ingesting the animal and human version of the drug to fight COVID-19, saying it can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, neurologic disorders and potentially severe hepatitis requiring hospitalization.
“The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.”
While discussing his treatment, Rogers said, “I’ve been taking monoclonal antibodies, ivermectin, zinc, Vitamin C and D, and HCQ and I feel pretty incredible.”
The reigning NFL MVP claimed he has an allergy to mRNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and chose not to get the Johnson & Johnson shot due to reported side effects.
Instead, Rodgers said he did extensive research (500 pages) and decided to get “immunized” — the term he used in August while discussing COVID-19, and has been widely criticized about since his unvaccinated status was revealed.
He told McAfee he “didn’t lie” when he used the term at an August press conference, in which he was unmasked.
“I found a long term immunization protocol to protect myself and I’m very proud of the research that went into that,” he said, without going into detail about what the treatment entails.
Rogers urged he is “not an anti-vax, flat-earther” or “COVID-denier,” but that “I just wanted to make the best choice for my body.”
The quarterback tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday after feeling symptoms on Tuesday. He’s currently isolating at his home in Green Bay.
Rodgers will miss a minimum of 10 days, including a matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday. Backup Jordan Love will get his first career start at Arrowhead stadium.
The NFL is investigating whether the Packers enforced the league’s COVID-19 protocols after Rodgers tested positive for coronavirus and has been seen unmasked on multiple occasions. He also attended a team Halloween party last week, where he was pictured without a mask with Packers tight end, Marcedes Lewis.
Rodgers will be back on “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday for his weekly appearance.