Story by
Aaron Rodgers doesn't apologize for Jimmy Kimmel comments, blasts ESPN on 'The Pat McAfee Show'
- Story by
- Aaron Rodgers doesn't apologize for Jimmy Kimmel comments, blasts ESPN on 'The Pat McAfee Show'
After Jimmy Kimmel called out Aaron Rodgers for referring that the late-night host was on Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates , the New York Jets quarterback offered no apologies. But he did say his words were misinterpreted and denounced anyone who attacked Kimmel in his name .
"I'm not calling him one. No one should, and don't do it in my name. That's not cool. I'm not about that," Rodgers said. "And I have no love for anybody doing any of that (expletive)."
Advertisement
On "The Pat McAfee Show" last week, Rodgers said "there's a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, that are really hoping that" the Epstein's associates list wouldn't be released. The comedian fired back by saying he wasn't associated with Epstein and threatened legal action. ESPN apologized for what Rodgers said on the show, and Kimmel responded on his show Monday night in a minutes-long monologue during which he called him "Karen Rodgers," and "hamster-brained."
Rodgers said he would address what he said on this week's appearance on McAfee's show, and he didn't regret anything he said the week prior. Here's a summary of his main talking points.
Aaron Rodgers looks on from the sideline during the New York Jets' 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023.
What did Aaron Rodgers say on 'The Pat McAfee Show'?
Rodgers said he "joked about popping a bottle" because "there's excitement about when the corruption anywhere gets exposed," and mentioning Kimmel stems from the feud they had over COVID-19 in 2022. What Rodgers said last week was widely interpreted as insinuating Kimmel had a connection with Epstein. Rodgers said that isn't what he said or meant.
Advertisement
The quarterback said he mentioned a possible list on 'The Pat McAfee Show' last year and that afterward Kimmel made jokes about Rodgers believing there was a list with names on it. Rodgers said he meant Kimmel wouldn't want the list to come out because it would prove he was right.
"I said that a lot of people, and I'm quoting myself, a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that doesn't come out. That's what I said. That's the entire quote," Rodgers said. "I was referring to the fact that if there is a list, which again, this hasn't come out yet, this was just a deposition."
Aaron Rodgers denounces backlash directed at Jimmy Kimmel
Rodgers added he knows "how serious" an allegation of pedophilia could be, and understood why Kimmel would be mad about that, but reiterated that's not what he called him.
Advertisement
"I'm not calling him one. No one should, and don't do it in my name. That's not cool. I'm not about that," Rodgers said. "And I have no love for anybody doing any of that (expletive)."
Rodgers continued: "I'm not stupid enough, even though you think I'm an idiot – and you made a lot of comments about my intelligence – but I'm not stupid enough to accuse you of that with absolutely zero evidence, concrete evidence, that's ridiculous."
Of any names associated with Epstein, Rodgers said he hopes Kimmel pays as much attention to those people.
"There should be an inquiry into their involvement, especially if they went to the island, and in maximum, there should be an investigation into it. So I hope that you will give the same type of energy to these heinous crimes when they do come out and the names do come out."
Advertisement
Rodgers also poked fun at Kimmel's monologue from his show Monday.
"I think it's impressive that a man who went to Arizona State and has 10 joke writers can read off a prompter," he said. "My education at JUCO and my three semesters at Cal that I'm very proud of has worked out for me and I'm glad to see it's worked out for him as well.
"I wish him the best. I don't give a (expletive) what he says about me. But as long as he understands what I actually said, and that I'm not accusing him of being on a list, then I'm all for moving forward."
Aaron Rodgers criticizes ESPN executive Mike Foss
After Rodgers made his comments on the show last week, ESPN vice president of digital production Mike Foss issued an apology in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The executive said Rodgers made "a dumb and factually inaccurate joke" and "it never should have happened."
Advertisement
Rodgers said he didn't understand Foss' apology and it didn't help the situation. Foss has been a major supporter of 'The Pat McAffee show.'
"Mike, you're not helping. You're not helping because I just read earlier exactly what I said," Rodgers added. "This is, this is the game plan of the media, and this is what they do. They try and cancel."
Rodgers went on to criticize the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the vaccine before moving on to talk about football. Later in the show, McAfee said he was "bummed out" about the whole situation because it was just people yelling at each other. Rodgers said the whole situation won't change his opinion of all parties involved in it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers' Jimmy Kimmel comments: Jets QB doesn't apologize
