Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers’ longstanding beef first started in 2021 after the latter admitted to misleading people over his vaccination status. In August of that year, the former Green Bay Packers star seemingly confirmed his vaccination, telling reporters, “Yeah, I’ve been immunized.” However, in November, he revealed that he was, in fact, not vaccinated and was taking Ivermectin at the advice of Joe Rogan. The medication is not an approved treatment to fight against COVID-19. “I’m not an anti-vax, flat-earther… I have an allergy to an ingredient that’s in the mRNA vaccines,” he said on “The Pat McAfee Show,” adding, “I found a long-term immunization protocol to protect myself, and I’m very proud of the research that went into that.”
Following his admission, Rodgers faced backlash from fans and his industry peers like Kimmel, who called the former out on his late-night talk show. “Honestly, the only thing worse than not getting vaccinated when you’re in close contact with other people is letting them think you’re vaccinated when you’re not,” the comedian said during his opening monologue. “It’s basically the COVID equivalent of ‘the condom fell off.’ Aaron is a Karen. That’s the fact of the matter.” Kimmel wasn’t the only one upset over Rodgers’ dishonesty. On November 9, the Green Bay Packers fined the controversial player $300,000 for attending a team Halloween party. Under their protocols at the time, unvaccinated players were not allowed to participate in team gatherings outside of practices and games.
