NFL says Rodgers never discussed vaccine with its doctors

The NFL denied Aaron Rodgers' claim Friday that a doctor representing the league erroneously told him a vaccinated individual couldn't get or spread COVID-19.

"No doctor from the league or the joint NFL-NFLPA infectious disease consultants communicated with the player," the league said in a statement, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "If they had, they certainly would have never said anything like that."

The Green Bay Packers quarterback gave a different version of events while recounting his appeal process on "The Pat McAfee Show," where he spoke publicly for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19. Rodgers had petitioned the league for a medical exemption before the season, citing his allergy to an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines and the removal of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the market due to blood clot concerns.

"In that (appeal) process, we had many conversations, I enjoyed the conversations with the league, it was good sharing," Rodgers said. "But one, in particular, stood out when I knew I was not going to win this. I had a meeting, and one of the main docs said it's impossible for a vaccinated person to get COVID or spread COVID. At that point, I knew that I was definitely not going to win the appeal, and it was very shortly thereafter that (it was) denied."

Rodgers confirmed reports that he sought holistic treatments to "immunize" himself against the virus. He also revealed he took advice on how to counter COVID-19 from comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, and that he feels "pretty incredible" days after first showing symptoms.

The three-time MVP will miss Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs while in COVID-19 protocol. He could potentially miss Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks as well.

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.