NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has responded to claims made about his opinions of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. According to these claims, which were made public by a CNN investigation, Rodgers may have discussed conspiracy theories regarding the disaster in private discussions. The Green Bay Packers star reaffirmed his position on the incident and flatly refuted these allegations on social media platform X.
“What happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy,” Rodgers clarified, going on record as having said previously. I have never believed, and I do not believe, that the events did not occur.” He offered his continued sympathy for the families and the Sandy Hook community touched by the horrible tragedy that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, and he stressed his hope that lessons learned from such tragedies would help prevent similar fatalities in the future.
The dispute started when reporter Pamela Brown of CNN claimed to have spoken with Rodgers at the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Rodgers had implied, according to Brown, that the massacre was a “government inside job” and that the media was purposefully hiding the facts. There was at least one additional case in which Rodgers shared similar conspiracy views regarding Sandy Hook, according to the investigation.
This disclosure coincided with reports that Rodgers is being considered for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential candidacy as a possible running mate, as reported by The New York Times. When the rumors about Rodgers running for vice president began to circulate, close friend and former NFL punter Pat McAfee revealed that Rodgers was in Costa Rica for an ayahuasca retreat.
Taking advantage of the chance to correct the record about his thoughts on the Sandy Hook tragedy, Rodgers, who had a difficult season since he tore his Achilles in the Jets’ season-opening game against the Bills, missed the rest of it. In his message, he tries to clear up any misunderstandings regarding his views and express his sympathy for the victims and their families.