“You’re Not a Coward,” Aaron Rodgers Lauds Stephen A. Smith For Apologizing To Kyrie Irving Over Vaccine Stand

Aaron Rodgers praised Stephen A. Smith for being the better man and apologizing to Kyrie Irving who refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

“You’re Not a Coward,” Aaron Rodgers Lauds Stephen A. Smith For Apologizing To Kyrie Irving Over Vaccine Stand

Stephen A. Smith and (inset) Aaron Rodgers (via Imago and X-SM Highlights)

Stephen A. Smith received rare plaudits from Aaron Rodgers. This happened when ESPN filmed the latest episode of the Pat McAfee Show at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ spring training camp.

Rodgers gave Smith a big shout-out after the veteran ESPN personality admitted he wrongfully criticized NBA star Kyrie Irving for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Rodgers told McAfee and the crew:

I gotta give flowers to Stephen A. Smith, because he was man enough to admit and actually apologize to Kyrie Irving. My old friend Stephen A, you’re not a coward.

Former Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine in 2019, calling it a matter of individual bodily autonomy and saying he was doing what was best for his life and supporting people losing their jobs over mandates.

Stephen A. Smith criticized Irving for his stance back then. However, Smith recently made a shocking U-turn on his previous views. Smith said on his show:

There’s several people that we all owe apologies to…but none more so than the apology that I owe to Kyrie [Irving]. It turns out that no matter what the truth is behind all of this, Kyrie Irving did nobody wrong. We did him wrong. I did him wrong. And for that, I’m sincerely sort.

Smith did not end there. He also called out Dr. Anthony Fauci for invoking the Fifth Amendment several times before Congress when asked about his role in gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China.

Taking the cue from Smith, Rodgers also blasted Dr. Fauci in a quirky rant. Rodgers said as McAfee and his colleagues laughed at the answer:

Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? 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.

Rodgers didn’t even spare McAfee’s bosses at ESPN. The Super Bowl winner called out the network for its reluctance to cover a scandal created by its own former employee, Dianna Russini. Rodgers said:

You have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN, that covers our league at the highest level. And there’s a major scandal. And it’s just like nobody can [talk] about it?

The Steelers spokesperson later stated Rodgers’ viewpoint is his own. Burt Lauten said via email:

Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room.

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Stephen Smith wasn’t thrilled when the Steelers re-signed Aaron Rodgers

Experts thought Rodgers would retire after the Texans knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs last year. In the meantime, the Steelers hired Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers coach, Mike McCarthy. McCarthy teased the 42-year-old‘s return for the 2026 season.

https://www.wtae.com/article/aaron-rodgers-fauci-comments-steelers-training-camp/73336735
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Sure enough, Rodgers signed a one-year extension with the AFC North franchise. Smith wasn’t a fan of the move. Smith said on First Take:

He’s good enough to allow them to continue to be mediocre. And what do I mean by mediocre? You ain’t a real championship contender, and you don’t stink. You’re right in the middle of the road, which means that you’ll never be able to build but so much through the draft.

Rodgers played 16 games in 2025. He threw for 3322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

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