WASHINGTON, D.C. — Aaron Rodgers, one of the NFL’s most famous players, encouraged his peers to ignore disparaging tweets or public comments made about the NFL by President Trump.
“I think that the more that we give credence to stuff like that, the more it's gonna live on," Rodgers said in an extensive interview with NFL.com reporter Mike 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."
Rodgers told Silver that he supports NBA superstar LeBron James, who last week became the target of Trump’s ire. Trump called James “unintelligent” just days after the four-time NBA MVP opened his "I Promise" school for children at risk of falling behind in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
“He knows he has the support of his contemporaries," Rodgers said of James, "in his own sport and in other sports."
Rodgers added that James' lack of a public response to Trump thus far was "absolutely brilliant."
James has been a frequent critic of Trump, as have some notable NFL players, including Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Chris Long. But it’s been rare for a player of Rodgers’ stature, as a star quarterback and two-time league MVP, to join the conversation.
He told NFL.com that he understands why some fans take issue with the decision of some players to protest during the national anthem as a way to focus on racial inequality and other social causes like police brutality, though he supports his colleagues in their quest to bring about change. He said the focus should be on the issues, not the manner of protest – which has been the primary way Trump has chosen to attack the league, by painting protesting players as unpatriotic.
“I don't know how many times we can say, as a player and as a group, how much we love and support and appreciate the troops, and the opportunities this country allows us,” said Rodgers, who supports the veterans charity Wounded Warriors. “But this is about equality and something bigger than ourselves, and bringing people together, and love and connectedness and equality and social justice, and putting a light on people who deserve to have the attention for their causes and their difficult situations that they're in. You know, people have their opinion -- you shouldn't do it during the anthem, you shouldn't do it during this -- that's fine. But let's not take away from what the real issue is."
