Aaron Rodgers attempted to clear the air after allegedly being caught on camera digging for gold.
During NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast of the New York Jets’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 20, Rodgers, 40, was seen placing his fingers to his nose and then directly to his mouth as he stood on the sidelines.
Naturally, social media erupted with allegations that the Jets quarterback was chowing down on his own boogers.
“I’ve actually never eaten my boogers,” Rodgers said Tuesday, October 22 on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “That’s one thing I’m very proud of.”
When McAfee, 37, challenged that Rodgers must have eaten his boogers as a child, Rodgers said, “I honestly haven’t.”
Despite the denial, Rodgers admitted that it certainly appeared he was attempting to slyly enjoy the nasal cavity delicacy.
“It’s a tough look to try and defend,” he said. “Because that video is a little incriminating. I can tell you that there needs to be a side view that shows that there wasn’t a boog that actually went in the mouth. It seems I didn’t get it in on that one.”
Rodgers concluded, “It’s a bad look.”
The booger controversy happened near the end of the Jets’ 37-15 loss to Russell Wilson and the Steelers on Sunday, the team’s fourth consecutive loss and second straight defeat since firing head coach Robert Saleh on October 8.
Rodgers told McAfee he was “disappointed” in his own play in the game, which included the former Green Bay Packers quarterback throwing two interceptions.
“The energy, and I look at myself first, just wasn’t good enough,” Rodgers said of the team’s effort. “Personally, and as a team, we’re playing with too much anger and not enough enjoyment.”
Rodgers added, “We’ve played this game for a long time and we get paid incredibly well. This is our livelihood to play a game most of us dreamt about or played as kids, and always wanted to be in this position. Personally, and our team, we just need to have a little more fun. Smile more and enjoy each other.”
The future Hall of Famer admitted it’s “fun when you win, of course,” but expressed optimism about what his team can still accomplish this season.
“I think there’s ways of taking some of the pressure off and it’s gotta start with me this week, my energy and my approach,” Rodgers said.
The Jets return to the field on Sunday, October 27 against the New England Patriots, where Rodgers’ fingers will likely not be coming anywhere near his nostrils.
