Aaron Rodgers Blames Media For Jimmy Kimmel Comments, Blasts ESPN in Return to Pat McAfee Show

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers accused the media of misinterpreting his comments on Jimmy Kimmel in order to “cancel” him.

Last week, Rodgers suggested on The Pat McAfee Show that Kimmel would be upset if the list of Jeffrey Epstein associates came out. It was clear Rodgers implied Kimmel’s name would be in the documents. To many on the internet, being connected to the Epstein case in any way is considered proof of involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme.

Kimmel was furious with the comments and threatened to take legal action. The next day, McAfee apologized and claimed Rodgers was simply making a joke. ESPN called the comments “dumb and factually incorrect” in its own statement.

On Monday, Rodgers confirmed during the team’s final press conference of the season that he’d address the backlash during his next appearance on McAfee’s show.

Hours later, however, Kimmel beat him to it. The talk show host used his opening monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live to tear into the QB, calling him “hamster-brained” and mocking his anti-vax views.

Rodgers opened his appearance on the show Tuesday by clarifying he wasn’t accusing Kimmel of anything.

“I totally understand how serious an allegation of pedophilia would be,” Rodgers said. “So, for him to be upset about that, I get it. Did you watch the quote? Because that’s exactly what I said — verbatim, what I said — on the show.

“I’m not stupid enough — even though you think I’m an idiot and you made a lot of comments about my intelligence — but I’m not stupid enough to accuse you of that with absolutely zero evidence. That’s ridiculous.”

Rodgers then blasted ESPN and the media for interpreting his words that way.

“But I don’t understand [ESPN Senior VP] Mike Foss’ comment,” Rodgers said. “because he didn’t help out either. And I’m gonna quote Mike Foss. He said, ‘Aaron made a dumb and factually incorrect joke about Jimmy Kimmel. It should never have happened. We all realized that in the moment.’ Mike, you’re not helping. You’re not helping because I just read earlier exactly what I said.

“This is the game plan of the media. This is what they do. They try and cancel. And it’s not just me. It’s nowhere near just me. I mean, you can look at all the different people who’ve been censored from the internet — especially during Covid. They’re canceling everyone on the censorship, using the government to try and censor people. And if that doesn’t work, then they go to name calling.”

Watch above via ESPN.