OAKLAND — The quarterback was noticeably absent. No reference to him was made during the two-hour event. Perhaps his presence was unnecessary.
Just the idea of a potential partnership had already achieved its goal — generating headlines, sparking speculation, and creating buzz around an unlikely presidential bid by an outsider looking to challenge political conventions. However, Aaron Rodgers running for Vice President of the United States?
This not only went against political norms, but it also seemed implausible.
It was difficult to imagine Rodgers juggling the demands of his role as the quarterback of the New York Jets with a high-stakes political campaign, especially during the busy NFL season that coincides with Election Day. Despite this, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate for president and member of one of America’s most prominent political families, claimed earlier this month that Rodgers, a friend of his, was among his top choices for a running mate.
While Rodgers never officially denied or rejected the idea of his candidacy — he reportedly “embraced the opportunity,” according to The New York Times — fueling, even for a brief period, the notion that a 40-year-old NFL quarterback and future Hall of Famer could take a break from leading the Jets to campaign across the country, engage with voters, and possibly participate in a vice presidential debate. Or perhaps do both simultaneously.
The unlikely Kennedy-Rodgers ticket — which had minimal traction from the start — was officially put to rest in Oakland on Tuesday, as Kennedy announced lawyer and philanthropist Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Shanahan, a newcomer to politics who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, recently contributed $4 million towards a Kennedy ad that aired during the Super Bowl.
Rodgers seemed to align with the characteristics Kennedy was seeking. “Our target audience is young people,” Kennedy stated recently, and Rodgers “has been tested because he’s faced criticism from the media” due to his “skepticism towards authority.”
The impact Rodgers would have had on Kennedy’s campaign is debatable. Over the past few years, he has become one of the most divisive figures in sports, and even some of Kennedy’s most dedicated supporters, who gathered at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts on Tuesday for the announcement, did not believe that Rodgers was ever seriously considered as a VP candidate.
“It was a publicity stunt,” remarked Zack Nelson, a 26-year-old business owner from Seattle who attended the event and has contributed significantly to Kennedy’s campaign. Nelson praised Kennedy’s embrace of cryptocurrency, stating, “Just mentioning ‘Aaron Rodgers might be our VP’ would attract attention. It was a clever PR move to garner interest. And it was successful.”
Meanwhile, 72-year-old Ryan Sarnataro, who traveled 85 miles from Santa Cruz to the event, was unimpressed by the idea of Rodgers joining the ticket. “I am not enthusiastic about individuals with no qualifications being so close to the presidency,” he expressed.
For others, like lifelong Bay Area resident Nicole Fuller, the revelation that Rodgers was being considered for the position came as a shock. “I had no idea he was under consideration — it caught me off guard,” she admitted. “But maybe he would have brought in a popular appeal, similar to Taylor Swift? We might need that. We are hoping for a miracle here.”
A supporter cheers during Robert F. Kennedy’s event announcing Nicole Shanahan as his running mate on Tuesday. (Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images)
Sue Peters, a neuroscientist from New York who attended Tuesday’s announcement, expressed no reservations about any of Kennedy’s potential running mates, including Rodgers. “I trust (Kennedy),” she stated. “I felt like (former president Donald) Trump shattered the mold and paved the way for Bobby to run for president as someone without a political background. I don’t believe a vice president necessarily needs political experience either.”
One of Kennedy’s supporters, who admitted to being new to politics, discreetly slipped away from the backstage area before the announcement to purchase “KENNEDY 24” hats in the lobby. He stood momentarily, observing the life-sized murals adorning the entrance — a collage of images spanning Kennedy’s life. One image depicted the candidate as a young child, cradled in his father’s arms. Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) revealed he was unaware that Robert F. Kennedy Sr. had made a bid for the presidency before he was assassinated in 1968.
Similarly to Rodgers, the former NBA star, who has been in contact with Kennedy over the last year, expressed his support by flying in from Los Angeles on Tuesday to address the crowd multiple times before Kennedy and Shanahan made their appearance.
When asked about Rodgers, a person he does not personally know, World Peace contemplated the idea of a professional athlete venturing into politics during a sports season. “That would have been truly intriguing,” he finally remarked. “And quite fascinating.”
How did we reach this point, where a star quarterback known for his controversial statements ends up on the VP shortlist of a candidate who happens to be the nephew of John F. Kennedy?
Publicly, something has shifted for Rodgers over the last few years: he no longer hesitates to speak his mind or provide rehearsed responses, a common practice among professional athletes, especially franchise quarterbacks, when faced with media scrutiny. As Rodgers puts it, he grew tired of remaining silent and allowing others to control the narrative surrounding him.
He desired a platform to voice his opinions.
Rodgers has courted controversy on multiple occasions — at times appearing to embrace the ensuing scrutiny, while at other times expressing frustration at his perceived portrayal. He has engaged in conspiracy theories on platforms like “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he knows he won’t be challenged by the hosts.
For instance, in January, Rodgers falsely claimed that TV host Jimmy Kimmel’s name was possibly linked to court documents involving convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Kimmel threatened legal action. Although Rodgers attempted to retract his statements, he never issued an apology.
“I’m not accusing him (of being a pedophile) and I would appreciate it if you didn’t either,” Rodgers clarified on McAfee’s show later. “Let me be clear. I don’t find joy in anyone being associated with that. So, please don’t. These are serious allegations intended for individuals on that list.”
He also refuted a CNN report alleging that he had propagated conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook massacre when he appeared on X, his only public comments since being mentioned as a potential VP candidate for Kennedy. Like Kennedy, Rodgers has expressed skepticism towards vaccines and, at one point, ridiculed Travis Kelce as “Mr. Pfizer” after the Chiefs player starred in an advertisement promoting COVID and flu vaccines. Rodgers then challenged Kelce and Dr. Anthony Fauci to debate him and Kennedy on the subject.
Rodgers misled reporters about his vaccination status before the 2020 season and subsequently tested positive for COVID. The Packers fined him for violating league protocols. “I understand I’m currently a target of cancel culture,” he acknowledged on McAfee’s show shortly after. “Before I’m completely canceled, I would like to address the numerous false claims circulating about someone who values critical thinking.”
That’s how Rodgers often characterizes himself.
“I’m not some sort of anti-vax flat-earther,” Rodgers clarified to McAfee in 2020. “I am someone who critically evaluates information.”
Rodgers has claimed that his outspokenness has cost him relationships, teammates, and endorsements. Controversy has followed him both on and off the field. His public separation from the Packers last year resulted in a messy divorce, leading him to New York, where he was seen as a savior. However, his first season with the Jets ended abruptly in the opening game. The team struggled.
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During a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Rodgers acknowledged that he is now “less revered” than before. The conversation then shifted back to the COVID controversy. “You either stand courageously for what you believe in or remain silent and cowardly,” Rodgers asserted. “I wasn’t willing to stay silent.
“I want my experiences to be recognized,” he continued. “And I don’t care. I’ve been fortunate to earn a significant income playing a sport I excel at, and I’m grateful for that. I have a platform. Some people want you to stay quiet and just play football, and that’s okay, but I believe there needs to be a rational voice…”
This is what drew Kennedy to Rodgers in the first place.
“Aaron Rodgers’ inclination towards serving others over his financial interests, his dedication to America’s health, his efforts to legalize therapies for veterans and trauma survivors using psychedelic treatments, and his consistent adherence to his beliefs inspire and motivate me,” Amaryllis Fox, Kennedy’s campaign manager, wrote on X earlier this month.
It seems fitting that when The New York Times revealed his selection as one of Kennedy’s top VP prospects, Rodgers was in Costa Rica attending his annual ayahuasca retreat.
There is no indication that the Jets were aware of this possibility. One can only imagine the shock that reverberated through the team’s facility when the news of “Rodgers being considered for Kennedy’s VP pick” circulated. At the NFL league meetings in Orlando this week — before Kennedy officially announced Shanahan as his running mate, eliminating Rodgers from consideration — the team’s top brass seemed to downplay the notion that their star quarterback was contemplating a short-term, unlikely venture into politics.
“I didn’t take it seriously,” stated GM Joe Douglas.
Did Rodgers make any contact with the team to inform them that he had spoken with Kennedy?
“He didn’t need to,” Coach Robert Saleh declared.
Back to football. Douglas has dedicated the majority of the offseason to fortifying the Jets’ offensive line, which was partially responsible for Rodgers’ Achilles injury last September. “With the improved offensive line, I hope he feels confident in his candidates for Director of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense,” the GM quipped.
According to team owner Woody Johnson, Rodgers is eager to return and on track.
That’s a positive for the Jets. They have dodged one distraction. However, given Rodgers’ personality, more challenges may lie ahead.
Zack Rosenblatt contributed to this report.
(Photo of Rodgers: Ryan Kang / Getty Images)