Sports TV News
Aaron Rodgers Blames Media and ‘Fear Porn’ For Dislike Toward Him
“I do have empathy for those people who are caught in this fear state around COVID that continues to be pushed and furthered by media.”

Published
4 months agoon

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has some thinking to do following his team’s early NFL postseason exit this past weekend. Does he retire, does he give it one more season in Green Bay? Or does he follow in Tom Brady’s footsteps and close the book on the team that drafted him and made him the quarterback he is today and play in another city?
Rodgers talked about answering those questions as part of what appeared to be his final interview of the season on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. But, of course, what a lot of people tuned in for was to hear Rodgers’ response to the reaction of social media and sports media following the loss.
He spent plenty of time in the spotlight for various COVID-related reasons, and for that, many referred to him as “Throw Rogan,” “QAaron,” and “Covidiot.” Add to that the celebrations for the San Francisco 49ers going into Lambeau Field on a cold winter’s night and upsetting the top seed in the NFC.
"There were a ton of people rooting against us because of my vaccination status & them wanting to see us lose so they could pile on.. we knew this was coming down the pipe at some point" ~@AaronRodgers12#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/Qgrz2bZYqO
— 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 25, 2022
“You knew this was in the mix,” Rodgers said. “There were a ton of people tuning in, rooting against us for one reason and one reason only. It’s because of my vaccination status, and them wanting to see us lose so they could pile on and enjoy and revel in the fact that my vaccination status was some sort of reason why we haven’t had success in the playoffs.”
He added that he knew he’d eventually have to say something about whether or not he was vaccinated and alluded to the fact that he would catch heat for not getting the shot. Still, Rodgers said a lot of the negativity surrounding the vaccine and his status is rooted in fear and that the media is a factor in that fear running rampant.
“There’s so much fear around this,” he said. “There’s fear of your health, fear of the loss of money, there’s fear of not being able to provide for your family, there’s fear of death for sure, fear of sickness, and the media plays a big role in that. The fear porn that is put out day after day I think causes a lot of strife and stress for people.
“I think because I don’t watch the news, or don’t subscribe to the same type of mainstream narrative at times, and have decided to take my own personal health and responsibility for my health in my hands, and did my research, and looked into things, and also my associations with other people who have done similar things, there’s anger kind of thrown my way,” he added. “But the root of that, I think, is fear. So I do have empathy for those people who are caught in this fear state around COVID that continues to be pushed and furthered by media and by some of the narratives that are out there. I do have empathy for that.”
As for the social media detractors, Rodgers said he’s tuned all of that stuff out. But in retrospect, Rodgers acknowledged the things he’s said publicly did drive a wedge between people when ultimately that’s not what the goal was.
"I realize that I've been divisive this season by my vaccination status & my willingness to talk about it.. I take accountability for that & I never wanted to be a divisive polarizing figure on this" ~@AaronRodgers12#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/DToLmhetI2
— 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 25, 2022
“I know what I’ve never wanted to be is a divisive or polarizing figure on this,” he said. “I’ve wanted to encourage people and inspire people to think for themselves to take their health in their own hands. To realize that this is a pandemic of health, not the unvaccinated, a pandemic of health… to make healthier decisions and to think about what they’re eating and what they’re putting in their bodies.
“That their health is their own responsibility as much as mine is my own responsibility. And hopefully I’ve inspired people… But I hope people continue to turn off the fear and do their own research and take care of themselves and their own health. And hopefully we can move past a lot of this and actually connect instead of continue to divide.”
Jordan Bondurant
Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.
Sports TV News
AT&T Sportsnet’s Kelsey Wingert Shows Off Stitches After Being Drilled Line Drive
“The veteran reporter is expected to get married in June. Doctors are “hoping” the scar doesn’t effect her big day.”

Published
2 hours agoon
May 20, 2022By
Jasper Jones
Baseball reporters at the regional level have some of the toughest jobs in all of sports. Not only do they cover each for all 162 games, but there’s always the potential for getting drilled by a foul ball.
While all MLB ball clubs have expanded their netting this season to protect fans sitting close to the field, Rockies sideline reporter Kelsey Wingert suffered a nasty injury via a foul ball earlier this week.
A scary incident took place on Monday’s outing against the Rockies and San Francisco Giants at Coors Field in Denver. In the ninth inning, Giants outfielder Austin Slater hit a foul ball off Daniel Bard, with the ball heading straight to the dugout, right where Wingert was standing while reporting for AT&T Sportsnet.
After getting attended to by the Rockies medical staff and walking it off, giving fans a “thumbs up,” Wingert ended up having to go to the hospital where she received multiple stitches to her forehead.
The 29-year-old reporter took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her gratitude towards the Rockies organization and AT&T Sportsnet general manager David Woodman, who along with his wife Paula, stayed by her side at the hospital.
Checking in – Monday, I took a 95 MPH line drive to my head.
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) May 18, 2022
The @Rockies & @ATTSportsNetRM have treated me like family. Getting me treatment & to the best hospital ASAP. I was at hospital for 5 hours w/ David Woodman (GM of AT&T SN), his wife, Paula & my producer Alison Vigil. pic.twitter.com/UzhlCzclNE
“I had a CT scan to make sure there was no internal bleeding or fractures and all came back clear. Thank God,” Wingert said on Twitter Wednesday. “The stitches will have to come out in a week. I’m very lucky it wasn’t worse. It was just really scary and bummed me out given the circumstances.”
You would think this was the first time Wingert got hit by a ball but back in 2018 while working for Fox Sports and the Atlanta Braves she was struck by a foul ball while standing near a camera past the Braves dugout, resulting in a fractured eye socket.
Wingert retweeted a photo taken of her black eye after returning home where she made light of what could’ve been an awful occurrence.
There’s nothing that @Starburst jellybeans can’t fix right? My rockstar friend @KelsWingert is back home and doing well after getting hit in the eye on a foul ball last night working the @Braves game! Talk about a warrior! pic.twitter.com/mTWHIjEUe5
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) March 31, 2018
While recovering from her wound, Wingert will be taking a few games off. The veteran reporter is expected to get married in June. Doctors are “hoping” the scar doesn’t effect her big day.
Jasper Jones
Jasper Jones writes sports media news stories for BSM. He is also a sports content producer for Audacy’s sports team. You can find him on Twitter @JonesJ2342 or email him at Jasper.Jones@Audacy.com.
Sports TV News
Greg Olsen To Partner With Kevin Burkhardt For Super Bowl LVII
“Last season was the first Burkhardt and Olsen worked together. They largely won rave reviews.”
Published
7 hours agoon
May 20, 2022By
BSM Staff
The deal isn’t done yet, but Andrew Marchand of The New York Post reports that Greg Olsen is on his way to joining Kevin Burkhardt in the top NFL booth at FOX. Although Tom Brady will take over that role after he retires and leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Olsen will spend at least this season on FOX’s A-Team.
Last season was the first Burkhardt and Olsen worked together. They largely won rave reviews.
Earlier this year, the former Panther told The Mac Attack on WFNZ in Charlotte that he was disappointed he didn’t get to call a postseason game. He will more than make up for that in 2023. As Burkhardt’s partner, Olsen is in line to be the analyst for Super Bowl LVII.
Marchand writes that we could get a taste of what is to come in February. He speculates that if the Buccaneers are not in the Super Bowl, it is possible Tom Brady could make his FOX debut, either in the booth alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen or as part of the network’s studio show.
Now, FOX has to make a decision about it’s number 2 NFL booth. According to Marchand, Drew Brees is a candidate to be the analyst. Adam Amin and Joe Davis have emerged as candidates for the play-by-play role.
Sports TV News
Poll Data Shows Tepid Response To Tom Brady Joining FOX
“A recent Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Front Office Sports showed that 1 in 3 Americans are more likely to watch a game with Brady on the microphone.”

Published
1 day agoon
May 19, 2022
FOX Sports reportedly signed Tom Brady to a 10-year deal worth $375 million to make the seven-time Super Bowl champion the new lead analyst for its top NFL broadcast once his playing career is over.
A recent Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Front Office Sports showed that 1 in 3 Americans are more likely to watch a game with Brady on the microphone.
The poll said 2 in 5 NFL fans have a better opinion of FOX Sports following the deal, with 41% of NFL fans being at least somewhat more likely to watch a game with Brady as an analyst.
Data shows one-third of NFL fans think the deal Brady reportedly agreed to is worth about the same as its reported value.
That reaction could probably be described as “tepid”. That may be exactly what FOX expects and maybe all it wants.
Last week, Domonique Foxworth of ESPN suggested that the paycheck is less about what the network thinks Tom Brady means to viewers and more about showing the NFL that the network values its product.
Jordan Bondurant
Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.