Aaron Rodgers speaks following COVID-19 diagnosis

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58/CNN) -- Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed he is unvaccinated against Covid-19 and is disappointed with the treatment he's been receiving in the media while appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday.

"I realize I'm in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now," Rodgers said. "So, before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I think I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself."

Rodgers said the media was on a "witch hunt" to find out which players were vaccinated and blamed reporters for him saying he was "immunized" back in August.

The 37-year-old Rodgers said if any reporter would have asked a follow-up question, he would have explained he's "not an anti-vax flat earther," but that he's a "critical thinker."

Rodgers added he has been following the strict NFL protocols for unvaccinated players to a "T." Rodgers described the daily testing he is subjected to every day, even on off days, and believes the rules are in place to shame unvaccinated people. Rodgers says he has been tested over 300 times before testing positive this week.

"Everybody has their own story and their own issues and their own reasons for doing things, but this shaming cancel-society, that is wrong," Rodgers told McAfee.

"On the CDC's own website it says should you have an allergy to any one of the ingredients, you should not get one of the mRNA vaccines," Rodgers went on to say.

Rodgers says because of allergies, and one other reason, he won't get vaccinated. 

"The next great chapter in my life, I believe, is being a father, and it's something I care about a lot, and to my knowledge there's been zero long-term studies around sterility or fertility issues around the vaccines," he said.

What do doctors think of that?

"There's no evidence that sterility is an issue at all. In fact, Covid is known to cause sterility. If anyone's concerned about sterility, don't get Covid," said Dr. Robert Freedland, the Wisconsin state lead for the Committee to Protect Healthcare.

As for an allergy to the vaccine, Dr. Freedland says that is possible.

"I do know that allergic reactions have occurred and they're extremely rare," said Dr. Freedland.

Rodgers defended his use of the word "immunized" because he's done things to try to shield his body from Covid.

"I've been taking monoclonal antibodies, ivermectin, zinc, vitamin c and d, HCQ, and I feel pretty incredible," said Rodgers.

"The monoclonal antibodies are effective. They cost $2,100 a treatment. You know, a vaccine's much less expensive," said Dr. Freedland.

Social media has been blowing up again, with some people calling Rodgers a liar.

"I think he's just giving excuses for not getting the vaccine, and getting caught I think is the big thing," Debbie Frey said.

But others point to HIPPA laws saying Rodgers shouldn't have to say anything.

"I think he didn't outright lie. I think he half lied, but he plays a team sport and the team needs him to be a part of the team and follow the protocols," said Steve.

"You know if he's the first one to get sort of caught, there might be others out there, you know," said Glenn Rivers.

Rodgers says everyone on the squad knew he wasn't vaccinated, he wasn't shielding it from anybody.

"To label it what they've labeled it -selfish, deceptive, there was nothing deceptive about it," said Rodgers.

Rodgers said he experienced some mild symptoms for roughly 48 hours but currently "feels really good" He wasn't certain when he would return to the field or what protocols were in place for him now that he tested positive for Covid-19.

Rodgers will miss Sunday's road game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to Covid-19 protocols, the team's head coach Matt LaFleur announced Wednesday.

Quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers' first-round pick in 2020, will make his first career start in the regular season.

The NFL said it is reviewing the situation. A league spokesperson told CNN in a statement, "The primary responsibility for enforcement of the Covid Protocols within Club facilities rests with each Club.

"Failure to properly enforce the protocols has resulted in discipline being assessed against individual Clubs in the past. The league is aware of the current situation in Green Bay and will be reviewing with the Packers."

Vaccinated players who test positive and remain asymptomatic are eligible to return after testing negative twice in a 24-hour span. Unvaccinated players are required to quarantine for 10 days and then test negative to return.

The-CNN-Wire
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Watch the full segment on the Pat McAfee Show below: 

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