Aaron Rodgers takes a Corona roundhouse swing in the middle of the playoffs. Accusing the U.S. of “censorship,” Rodgers drums louder than ever for his political beliefs – and risks his own legacy in the process.

Munich – Aaron Rodgers could be the shining hero.

The 38-year-old is tormenting his way to an MVP-worthy season despite a painful toe injury. But before his Green Bay Packers’ playoff clash against the San Francisco 49ers, his athletic class takes a back seat.

Because Rodgers has spoken out about Corona. Again. Without needing to, he once again opens up a sideshow before the most important game of the season so far – and thus puts his football legacy in jeopardy.

In an almost half-hour-long “ESPN” interview published one day before the play-off duel, Rodgers launched into a social roundabout: US President Joe Biden? For Rodgers, along with his constituents, the real evil. The US health authority CDC? “How can you trust them anyway?” asks Rodgers, only to misinterpret a CDC study. The social discourse in the USA around Corona? In Rodgers’ eyes, marked by “censorship”.

Aaron Rodgers: Not at all taciturn on Corona

However, Rodgers can’t really complain about his opinion being suppressed: an almost half-hour interview with the world’s biggest sports broadcaster, plus countless invitations to podcasts, TV and radio shows, press conferences and media appointments several times a week – wherever Aaron Rodgers turns up, the spotlight cone is ready.

And the quarterback is happy to take the spotlight.

Since the scandal surrounding his alleged “immunisation” in the autumn, Rodgers has repeatedly taken flight: He eloquently justified his decision against the Corona vaccination, hinted that his vaccination status could affect his MVP chances, criticised the “exclusion culture for dissenters”, most recently wore a “Cancel Culture” shirt at a podcast recording. What Rodgers therefore probably confuses with censorship: since last autumn, he has been experiencing what the revelation of political views precisely entails: approval, but precisely also opposition.

“I don’t want to apologise for being myself. I just want to be myself,” Rodgers said. An attitude that has won him new fans, but in its manifestation has made many an old admirer turn away shaking their heads. The perception of Aaron Rodgers as a public figure has become different after this Corona season. The dimension as an exceptional athlete has been joined by a new, more contentious one as a political figure. As a result, Rodgers is polarising like never before.

Aaron Rodgers: the master of scrambling is floundering

US sports stars like Michael Jordan or Tom Brady have chosen a different path – that of the largely apolitical sports star. Isolated accusations of low profile or political inaction? Simply smothered by sporting brilliance.

Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, deliberately reveals himself and thus offers a new surface for attack. His lament about supposed censorship shows how unprepared the master of scrambling is for the sudden headwinds.