Allegations of Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards in the NFL

Recently, Aaron Rodgers mentioned on “The Pat McAfee Show” that some NFL personnel bypassed league COVID-19 protocols with “fake” vaccination cards. Cam Newton has now echoed these claims on his “4th & 1” podcast.

COVID-19 Protocols in 2021

In 2021, the NFL required all team employees, including players, coaches, and staff, to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. This was necessary to avoid frequent testing to enter team facilities. Non-vaccinated players needed daily testing and had to follow mask and distancing guidelines. Coaches had no option but to get vaccinated if they wanted to continue working.

“If we’re being honest,” Newton said, “multiple players, coaches, and executives fraudulently got their COVID shot.”

This supports Rodgers’ recent remarks, which came after his criticism of Anthony Fauci’s testimony before the U.S. Senate. Fauci was a key figure in the White House Coronavirus Task Force. He strongly supported vaccines during the Biden administration’s rollout. In the Senate, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid incriminating himself.

Rodgers’ Criticism

Rodgers expressed skepticism about the authenticity of some vaccination cards. He jokingly described them as looking like “written in crayon.” He highlighted the inequity felt by unvaccinated individuals who faced restrictions.

“A crazy time,” Rodgers described, criticizing mask mandates as performative.

Newton shared his perspective, suggesting people bypassed NFL protocols by purchasing cards to gain freedom. “I knew multiple people in that locker room didn’t get the Covid shot,” Newton stated. “But they got a card that they paid for.”

Timeline Clarification and Impact on Newton

While Newton referred to Cardgate as beginning in 2020, the issue emerged in 2021. Newton, unvaccinated at the time, faced protocol challenges when traveling away from the New England Patriots for a medical appointment. Though he tested negative each day, he had to undergo a five-day re-entry process due to a testing misunderstanding.

The situation affected Newton’s performance, leading to lost practice time and his eventual release from the team. Newton later expressed feeling “bamboozled” by the situation.

If Rodgers and Newton are correct about fake vaccination cards circulating in the NFL, many might have shared that sense of being misled.