Aaron Rodgers called ESPN "gutless" on Monday for failing to properly cover the scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL insider Dianna Russini, delivering the criticism live on a show licensed by the network.
The controversy erupted after the New York Post published photos showing Vrabel fraternizing with Russini, of The Athletic, at a $2,500-a-night, adults-only retreat in Arizona in March. More photos of the pair together emerged in the weeks that followed. Both are married with children.
Russini, who was paid close to $800,000 a year by the New York Times-owned Athletic, denied any affair with Vrabel. In a statement announcing her resignation, she said she stood by every story she had published.
Vrabel also initially denied the affair, backing Russini's claim that they were at the resort with friends. He later said he had started counseling to "be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be," and missed the third day of the NFL Draft as a result of his move.
Rodgers targets ESPN's silence
Appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," which is licensed by ESPN, Rodgers said: "What are the network (ESPN) doing? You have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN that covers our league at the highest level, and there's a major scandal, and it's just like, nobody can f***ing talk about it? What are we even doing here?"
Co-host Boston Connor pushed back, saying, "Personal lives are personal lives... I feel like you of all people should know that." Rodgers replied: "I understand, but if it's affecting certain things. If there's leaks going on, if there's tampering going on... if that person is also an MVP voter and a Coach of the Year voter?.. How are we allowing these people to have an impact?"
Fauci rant and family reunion
The 42-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback also used the appearance to unleash on Anthony Fauci, calling him a "coward" and a "criminal." He then discussed his recent reunion with his family, telling McAfee and viewers it was "nobody's f***ing business."
Family reconciliation timeline
In April, Rodgers invited his parents to his induction into the Pleasant Valley High School Hall of Fame. Last month, he shared Instagram photos from a "bonding week" in Nashville with his mother, Darla, father, Ed, brother, Luke, niece, Evie, and nephew, Jack.
The reconciliation followed years of public distance between Rodgers and his family. The turning point came in 2023, when Rodgers reconnected with his father at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe for the first time in nearly nine years.
Rodgers said the reasons for the family rift and the reunion were "nobody's f***ing business," adding that he had shared only glimpses on social media, including trips to Idaho and Malibu. "I'm not going to be posting a bunch of stuff and blowing it up," he said. "People don't know and they shouldn't know, it's none of their business."
He said he cared "even less" than before about public perception and would spend his time off the field playing his best football rather than "chasing down weird-ass parties on the east coast." He added that he especially enjoyed the chance to criticize what he called "that gutless organization you have to be connected with."
