NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show from the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp, using the discussion to question Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing and to criticize media coverage of the proceedings.

The exchange began as host Pat McAfee asked Rodgers about his decision to return for what Rodgers has described as his final NFL season.

McAfee referenced Rodgers' previous comments about his wife encouraging him to play another year and the presence of Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.

“A couple of times today, because you’ve been very open about coming back for this year, last rodeo, and you talked about your wife saying, ‘Hey, have another year.’ Mike McCarthy being here, obviously a big deal. Can you tell us about the mindset of coming into your last season?” McAfee asked.

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He followed up by asking Rodgers how his outlook compares with previous seasons.

“Like, that’s a real thing. It feels like, because is everything better? Is everything funner? Is everything more awesome? How do you view this year versus maybe the years of the past?” McAfee asked.

Rather than answering the football-related question directly, Rodgers pivoted to the recent Senate hearing involving Fauci.

“I’m gonna plead the Fifth. Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward. Are you kidding me?” Rodgers said.

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Rodgers then questioned Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment after receiving a presidential pardon.

“You got a pardon and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science. I thought you were, ‘I am science,’ and you get up there and you can’t answer a question?” Rodgers said.

Rodgers also criticized national news organizations, arguing they devoted significant attention to him during the COVID-19 pandemic but gave comparatively little coverage to Fauci's Senate appearance.

“And how much time did the networks spend on that? How much time did they spend on my responses every week? My vaccination status? On Taylor and Travis’ wedding? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci?! I bet they didn’t,” Rodgers said.

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Rodgers' comments came days after Fauci appeared under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

During the hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to numerous questions from lawmakers.

Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times during the proceeding.

Following the hearing, Fox News reporters attempted to question Fauci outside his residence.

“Dr. Fauci, do you regret the way you handled the hearing – pleading the Fifth [Amendment] so much?” a Fox News reporter shouted.

“Is there anything you would do different, sir?” the reporter also asked.

Fauci did not respond to the questions and entered his home without commenting.

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The hearing marked one of Fauci's highest-profile public appearances since leaving government service.

Lawmakers questioned him about issues related to the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though Fauci declined to answer numerous questions by invoking his constitutional rights.

Rodgers has remained one of Fauci's most outspoken critics since the pandemic.

During previous appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers frequently criticized COVID-19 policies, vaccine mandates, and media coverage surrounding the pandemic.

His latest remarks continued that criticism, focusing on Fauci's Senate testimony and the amount of attention the hearing received compared with other stories involving Rodgers himself.

Rodgers argued that media organizations extensively covered his own comments and vaccination status during the pandemic while giving comparatively little attention to Fauci's appearance before Congress and his repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment.

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