Former NFL MVP Cam Newton backed up a controversial claim made by Aaron Rodgers that NFL players and staff used fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards to bypass league health protocols during the pandemic, adding his own voice to allegations that initially drew far less attention than Rodgers' criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Rodgers first raised the claim during a lengthy appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where the bulk of his comments centered on a scathing attack against Fauci over his recent Senate testimony, during which the former White House chief medical adviser repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment.
Rodgers called Fauci an "absolute coward" and an "absolute criminal" during a 13-minute monologue, but also touched on the NFL's pandemic-era vaccine mandates, which required unvaccinated players to follow stricter protocols, including regular testing, masking, and distancing requirements.
