Rodgers: NFL needs to learn to ignore Trump's jabs

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has no problem wading into the political realm, at least when it comes to President Donald Trump's involvement in the NFL's national anthem controversy.

Trump has been vocal about his disdain for any protests during the national anthem, and his criticism of players and the league led to a debate over a new anthem policy. The president's opinions on league matters get the attention of players, team owners, and league executives - and that's part of the problem, according to Rodgers.

"I think that the more that we give credence to stuff like that, the more it's gonna live on," Rodgers told NFL.com's Michael Silver.

"I think if we can learn to ignore or not respond to stuff like that - if we can - it takes away the power of statements like that."

Trump recently turned his attention to LeBron James, questioning the NBA megastar's intelligence in a tweet last week after James opened his I Promise school in Ohio.

Rodgers called James' lack of a response "absolutely beautiful."

He continued, "At a time when he's putting on display his school, which is changing lives, there's no need. Because you're just giving attention to that (tweet), that's what they want. So just don't respond."

Rodgers said tweeting his support of James was unnecessary as the basketball star "knows he has the support of his contemporaries, in his own sports and in other sports."

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