Coronavirus: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, health care group end partnership

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Wisconsin health care organization announced it has parted ways with Aaron Rodgers, a day after the Green Bay Packers quarterback, who tested positive for COVID-19 this week, confirmed he had not been vaccinated against the virus.

>> Read more trending news

Prevea Health became the first company to announce a separation from the Packers quarterback, who has been a spokesperson for the company since 2012, WKOW reported.

“Prevea Health and Aaron Rodgers have made the decision to end their partnership effective Nov. 6, 2021,” the company said in a statement. “Aaron has been a partner of Prevea Health, serving as a spokesperson and supporting the health care organization’s health and wellness initiatives throughout Wisconsin, since 2012. Prevea Health remains deeply committed to protecting its patients, staff, providers and communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes encouraging and helping all eligible populations to become vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further significantly impacting lives and livelihoods.”

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show Friday, Rodgers admitted he took ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that has become popular among people who have declined COVID-19 vaccines, WITI reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked the public not to take the drug, citing the fact that there is no data supporting the claim that it prevents or treats COVID-19 infections, according to WITI.

Rodgers, who is sitting out the Packers’ upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs, has not commented about the end of the partnership.

>> Aaron Rodgers clarifies ‘immunization’ statement, was not vaccinated against COVID-19

He told McAfee on Friday he knew he was “in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now,” according to Sports Illustrated.

“So, before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I think I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself.”

Rodgers told McAfee that an allergy to mRNA vaccines prevented him from getting two of the three approved vaccines, ESPN reported. He told the host that he was not comfortable about receiving the vaccine because of reactions he had heard about, the sports network reported.

Rodgers said he had petitioned the NFL, the NFL Players Association and a jointly approved infectious disease expert to be considered vaccinated, but his petition was denied, ESPN reported.

While awaiting a ruling on his petition, Rodgers told reporters in August that he was “immunized.”

More coronavirus pandemic coverage:

>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?

>> What are your chances of coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19? This tool will tell you

>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does

©2021 Cox Media Group