There is no doubt about it: Aaron Rodgers is having a MVP-caliber season. In 13 games this season, the 2020 MVP has thrown for 3,487 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 67.8% of his passes. He has thrown just four interceptions and leads the NFL in touchdown/interception ratio for the sixth time in his career. The question, however, is will he win the MVP Award? According to pundits, his controversial stance on the COVID-19 vaccine and the circumstances of his own positive COVID case may cost him the award.
Aaron Rodgers Tested Positive for COVID in November
Everyone knows by now that Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID back in November. The positive test cost him one game, a game the Packers dropped to the Kansas City Chiefs. What was newsworthy, however, was not the fact that he tested positive but what he said prior to and after the positive test.
Before the season started, Rodgers was asked about his vaccination status. In response, he stated that he had been immunized. As it turns out, what he meant was that he was following the advice of Joe Rogan and taking other home remedies to help protect himself from the virus. He sited allergies to certain parts of the vaccines as one of many reasons why he opted not to get the vaccine.
Since his positive test, Rodgers has called himself the victim of cancel culture and has spoken out against mandatory vaccines. He has remained firm in his stance that the decision to be vaccinated or not remains a personal decision for all, and that no one should be forced to do anything.
MVP Voters May Not Vote for Aaron Rodgers as a Result
As the NFL regular season nears its end, the MVP debate is in full force. Many believe Aaron Rodgers should win it again based on his stellar play. Others believe Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts (and former Wisconsin Badger) running back should win. Still others want Tom Brady to win the award. There are even some who say Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is the most deserving.
Historically, the MVP is most often won by quarterbacks, which makes Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady the two early favorites at the moment. According to Chris Broussard of Fox Sports, some may not vote for Aaron Rodgers, though, because of his vaccine controversy.
What Broussard Said
According to Broussard:
“When I vote for the MVP in the NBA I don’t look at narrative, but a lot of writers do, and the narrative of a 44-year-old who has defied Father Time, who is leading the league in yards and touchdowns, is much more of a compelling ‘narrative’ than the guy who lied to the media and told us he was ‘immunized’ when he meant vaccinated, and the guy who sat out a game because he wasn’t vaccinated, and cost his team a big loss to the Chiefs. If I was voting I wouldn’t bring that into play but a lot of people do.”
It should be noted here that Broussard is not a voter for NFL MVP. As he states, he gets to vote for NBA MVP as that is the league that he predominantly covers. It is an interesting insight, though, into the thought process of voters. Will Aaron Rodgers win MVP? Will he fall short in the voting because of his vaccine statements? If he wins, he will surpass Brett Favre for MVP’s and add to his legacy. If he does not, he will have the opportunity to continue claiming that he is now a victim of cancel culture.
Either way, Aaron Rodgers wins.
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