State Farm Insurance said its standing by Green Bay Packers quarterback and company pitchman Aaron Rodgers amid his recent COVID-19 vaccine comments.
“Aaron Rodgers has been a great ambassador for our company for much of the past decade,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports Monday morning. “We don’t support some of the statements that he has made, but we respect his right to have his own personal point of view. We recognize our customers, employees, agents, and brand ambassadors come from all walks of life, with differing viewpoints on many issues.
"Our mission at State Farm is to support safer, stronger communities. To that end, we encourage vaccinations, but respect everyone’s right to make a choice based on their personal circumstances.”
Rodgers -- who was ruled out of Sunday's 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after testing positive last Wednesday (November 3) -- made a sporadic appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last Friday -- which he is typically featured on in a weekly 'Aaron Rodgers Tuesday' segment -- and claimed to be allergic to an ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, while also having concerns over reported adverse reactions to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Rodgers said he underwent alternate treatments, which is why he claimed to be "immunized" when asked if he was vaccinated amid his return to the Packers earlier this year.
The reigning NFL MVP's comments were met with backlash, which included Wisconsin-based health care organization Preva Health ending its partnership with the quarterback, who served as its spokesperson supporting health and awareness initiatives since 2012.
"Prevea Health remains deeply committed to protecting its patients, staff, providers, and communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes encouraging and helping all eligible populations to become vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further significantly impacting lives and livelihoods," Prevea Health said in a statement.
Apex Marketing Group reports commercials featuring Rodgers accounted for only 1.5% of State Farm advertisements on NFL Sunday, a drop from 25% the two previous Sundays.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Rodgers "is unvaccinated" and "that's why he's out" for Sunday's game, prior to Rodgers' appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers was previously asked if he was vaccinated and responded, "yeah, I'm immunized," as shown in a video shared by NBC 26 reporter Chancellor Johnson on Wednesday.
Rodgers currently has 1,894 yards, 17 touchdowns, and three interceptions on 173 of 258 passing, while leading the Packers to a seven-game winning streak and a 7-1 record.
The former Super Bowl champion also managed to lead Green Bay to a 24-21 victory against the then-undefeated Arizona Cardinals last Thursday (October 28), despite being without his three top receivers Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
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