NFL Fines Packers and Aaron Rodgers

The NFL has spoken on the controversy surrounding the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, and his obvious refusal to follow the league’s mandated COVID-19 protocols. And they have spoken rather softly.

The Packers were fined $300,000 and Rodgers has been fined $14,650 for violations of the agreed-upon NFL and NFLPA protocols, which include repeatedly not wearing a mask at indoor press conferences, even though it is specifically required for unvaccinated players.

With an annual salary of $22.4 million, the $14,650 fine represents what Rodgers makes in 40 seconds of game time. In terms of fines divvied out by the NFL this season, the $14,650 that Rodgers was hit with is less than the $15,450 given each to Jamal Adams, Chase Young, and Jordan Phillips for roughing the passer. To date, the NFL has also fined players a total of $168,498 in the application of its new taunting rules.

When comparing the $300,000 fine of the Packers for allowing repeated violations of protocol, it’s worth remembering that last season the New Orleans Saints were fined $500,000 and docked a draft pick for a maskless celebration in the locker room following a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Also, last season both Jon Gruden and Sean Payton were fined $100,000 for not properly wearing a face covering on the sideline.

Rodgers Speaks Out Again

Some of the controversy surrounding Rodgers is his vaccination status, and how his decision to remain unvaccinated cost his team last Sunday. Most of the controversy, however, stems from the interview he gave to Pat McAfee last week.

In it, he admitted to ignoring the rules that he doesn’t think make good sense. He also said that he has been following the treatment plan laid out by Joe Rogan, former host of Fear Factor and a current MMA announcer and podcaster.

Rodgers also denied having lied to people when he was asked about his vaccination status in August, and he responded, “Yeah, I’m immunized.”

Rodgers was back on the Pat McAfee show this Tuesday, doing damage control. Rodgers is smart, very controlled about his image, and he realized that the interview he gave the week before wasn’t great for a guy who would like to have a public career after football.

This week he took responsibility for comments that were “misleading” regarding his vaccination status. He also acknowledged that while his treatment plan is working for him, that hasn’t been the case with many other COVID patients.

He admitted to being hurt by the backlash he suffered the past week, but said he understood he was sharing a polarizing opinion, and people had the right to their own opinion about him, even if it’s not favorable.

Rodgers finished the interview by saying that he is “an athlete, not an activist,” and any further comments regarding his health and treatment plan will remain between him and his doctors.

Rodgers also suggested there was a great chance he’d be back under center this upcoming Sunday in their game against the Seattle Seahawks. Betting markets are assuming the same with the NFL point spread favoring the Packers by 3½ points at home.

Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook Sued by Ex for Alleged Abuse

According to reports in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a lawsuit was filed by the ex-girlfriend of Dalvin Cook, alleging that the star running back was physically and emotionally abusive and held her hostage at his home last year.

Gracelyn Trimble is a sergeant in the U.S. Army, and she told the Star Tribune that Cook gave her a concussion, left a scar on her face, and put her “through hell.”

The lawsuit, filed in Dakota County, Minnesota, accused Cook of assault, battery, and false imprisonment, and is seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

The lawsuit alleges that last November 19 she flew to Minnesota from Florida to officially break up with Cook and retrieve a number of belongings. But when she asked for his help in finding her belongings, he became enraged and threw her into a coffee table, splitting open her forehead and nose. Later she says he also beat her with a broomstick.

Trimble also showed the Star Tribune instagram messages between the two where Cook says, “If you want to go to the police I’ll respect that. I’ll take my punishment for what I did.”

Cook’s attorney responded to the story in the Star Tribune, and said that Trimble was the aggressor, she broke into his house, and now she’s trying to extort him for millions of dollars.