Who knew that when New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers referred to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as "Mr. Pfizer" on The Pat McAfee Show due to his appearance in Pfizer commercials we'd end up with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul hinting at a potential COVID-19 vaccine debate featuring himself, Kelce, Rodgers, and Anthony Fauci.
Aaron Rodgers is inviting Travis Kelce to have a vaccine debate.
Rodgers proposes that it be him and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. against Kelce and Anthony Fauci.
(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/tcqPmptGtB https://t.co/xvH9M5MlpR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 10, 2023
Of course, Rodgers made headlines a few seasons ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in that he wasn't vaccinated.
In response to Rodgers calling him Mr. Pfizer, Kelce, appearing on the New Heights Podcast, a show with him and his brother Jason, the two-time Super Bowl champion, said he was "fully comfortable" with Rodgers calling him that, adding, "I got it because of keeping myself safe, keeping my family safe, the people in this building," Kelce said. "So yeah I stand by it 1000%."
On The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said, among other things, "Listen, Mr. Pfizer said he didn't think he'd be in a vax war with me. This ain't even a war, homie. This is just conversation. But if you want to have some sort of duel, debate, have me on the [New Heights] podcast. Come on the show, let's have a conversation."
This was a lot of joking between friends, though, as Rodgers and Kelce were seen ahead of the Jets and Chiefs Week 4 matchup.
"I thought it was pretty good. With the mustache, I look like someone named Mr. Pfizer. Who knew I'd get into vax wars with Aaron Rodgers, man? Mr. Pfizer against the Johnson and Johnson family over there," Kelce said in a recent press conference.
Travis Kelce on Aaron Rodgers calling him “Mr. Pfizer” on Tuesday:
“I thought it was pretty good. With the mustache, I look like someone named Mr. Pfizer. Who knew I'd get into vax wars with Aaron Rodgers, man? Mr. Pfizer against the Johnson and Johnson family over there.”… https://t.co/gTNfrcmnv1 pic.twitter.com/KubjHD0gEr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 6, 2023
Rodgers also said on the show that he'd be willing to participate in a "John Wick 4"-style debate with Kelce.
"But if you want to have some sort of duel, debate ... come on the show, let's have a conversation. Let's do it like in 'John Wick 4' so we both have a second ... somebody to help us out. I'm gonna take my man [Robert F. Kennedy] Jr., and he can have [Dr. Anthony] Fauci or some other "pharmacrat," and we can have a conversation about this," Rodgers said.
On X, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said, "I can think of someone who would also join this debate against Fauci, @AaronRodgers12." Sen. Paul wrote.
I can think of someone who would also join this debate against Fauci, @AaronRodgers12 https://t.co/8ZOYc4kmxi
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 10, 2023
So, what started out as a joke between two friends has now become a COVID-19 spectacle with a legitimate United States Senator getting involved.
We'll see what happens in Rodgers' next appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He joins the show every Tuesday, an ongoing tradition, especially now as he rehabs his torn Achilles.