Steelers defend Aaron Rodgers' right to voice opinions after ESPN Fauci segment
The Aaron Rodgers segment on ESPN got folks on both sides of the Anthony Fauci debate quite riled up on Monday. People got angry at ESPN — some for allowing Rodgers on air at all, and others because he was steered away from discussing the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal on air. Some people defended Rodgers for calling out Fauci for pleading the Fifth Amendment 111 times during recent U.S. Senate hearings. And others attacked Rodgers for lying about his COVID-19 vaccine status or otherwise just not agreeing with their viewpoint. The segment on "The Pat McAfee Show" left no safe space for anyone, including the "progrum" itself. The issue became so fiery on social media that the Pittsburgh Steelers felt the need to address the situation. So, the club is defending Rodgers and his right to voice his opinion. "Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views," Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement to Fox News Digital/OutKick. "With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room." It appears the Steelers believe that people, including their players, have a right to their own opinions. Imagine that. It's as if the Steelers are located in America and have read the U.S. Constitution. Chalk one up for freedom of expression. And chalk one up for the Steelers, which have been notably consistent in this manner in the past. You'll recall in May 2025, Mason Rudolph, another Steelers quarterback, incited online approval as well as backlash for having the nerve to appear with Vietnam War veteran and former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier and President Donald Trump at a rally at the U.S. Steel's Irvin Works plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Trump welcomed Rudolph on stage and predicted big things for the player, saying, "He's going to be the guy." Fans went nuts. MAGA immediately rallied to Rudolph and bought more jerseys than any backup quarterback has a right to sell. Socialists, Democrats, liberals, progressives, communists, including the Viet Cong, people who hate puppies, anarchists, and perhaps Iran (kidding) despised the moment as an utter betrayal of the Steelers' six Super Bowl titles and the Terrible Towel. The Steelers themselves, meanwhile, reacted with aplomb. With sanity. With class. "Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions and these do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization," the club said in an email to fans who complained. And now, with this Rodgers appearance, the club is sticking to its practice of acknowledging viral public reaction, defending its players' right to an opinion, and not really taking a side. This is more than good public relations. It's public good policy. The Steelers recognize that their locker room is a melting pot of races, religions, ideas, and opinions. And no one representing any one cause is more respected or heard than anyone else by the organization. Rodgers undoubtedly has the team's loudest megaphone. And he uses it quite deftly to relay his opinions. So it would be counterproductive for the Steelers to in any way kneecap that or him. But it would also be counterproductive to wholly agree with Rodgers because that could alienate other players. So, the club is going to do what is best for club peace – which in this case comes with the added advantage of being the right thing to do.