Posted in: NFL, Opinion, Sports, streaming, TV, TV, YouTube | Tagged: Aaron Rodgers, jeffrey epstein, jimmy kimmel, opinion, pat mcafee
Aaron Rodgers Will Address Jimmy Kimmel Controversy This Tuesday
During the NY Jets postseason presser, Aaron Rodgers confirmed he will address the Jimmy Kimmel controversy on Tuesday's The Pat McAfee Show.
After last week's big data dump of documents pertaining to the court matters surrounding the conviction of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were released and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel wasn't listed in any of them, we thought that would be the end of the matter. Unfortunately, New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers proved us wrong, confirming during the team's postseason press conference that he would address the matter when he checks in The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. "I'm going to talk about it tomorrow on the show. Tune in," Rodgers teased in response to the question, referring to comments he made on Pat McAfee's show last week when he implied that Kimmel should be feeling nervous about his name being revealed. Kimmel would push back on Rodgers' comments on social media, including threatening legal action.
Here's a look at the full video of Rodgers' postseason press conference from earlier today – followed by a look back at McAfee addressing the controversy last week and what led up to all of this:
Pat McAfee Offers Kimmel/Rodgers Mea Culpa
"There could be some things that were certainly, probably – I mean, we're gonna have to hear from Aaron on that – meant to be a shit talk joke that can then become something that is obviously a very serious allegation, that then leads to a massive overnight story, one in which I put the baby down to sleep, I haven't seen her in a while, then pick up my phone and oohhhh Boy," McAfee began his show with, addressing the Kimmel/Rodgers controversy – adding that the show's team was "rolling on two hours of sleep" heading into Tuesday's show. "We obviously don't like to be associated with anything negative ever. We'd like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one, but it's because we talk shit and try to make light of everything."
"Some things obviously people get very pissed off about, especially when they're that serious allegations," McAfee continued. "So we apologize for being a part of it. I can't wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully, those two will just be able to settle this, you know, not work-wise, but be able to chit-chat and move along." While McAfee can understand Kimmel's position on the matter, he still appears willing to give Rodgers the benefit of the doubt – even implying that Rodgers' may have seen his comments as retaliation to comments the late-night host made during his monologues. "I can understand why Jimmy got incredibly upset, yeah, I definitely completely understand that, especially with his position, but also I think Aaron is like, 'hey, this guy has said some stuff about me in his monologue,' and he's just trying to shit talk," McAfee explained. "I don't think he meant anything else, but he's gonna have to clarify that for us."
Jimmy Kimmel, Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers & Jeffrey Epstein Comments
At one point during the broadcast (you can check it out below beginning at around the 28:05 mark), McAfee's co-host, AJ Hawk, brought up the topic of Epstein's list being released. That appeared to bring a lot of joy to Rodgers' life, with the proud anti-vaxxer saying, "A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that doesn't come out," implying that Kimmel should have concerns about being implicated in some kind of activity with Epstein & his associates. Rodgers added, "I'll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle." Well, it didn't take too long for Kimmel to take to Twitter to call out Rodgers, not finding anything "funny" about what Rodgers was insinuating.
"Dear Aasshole: for the record, I've not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any 'list' other than the clearly phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can't seem to distinguish from reality," Kimmel wrote in response, retweeting the clip in question that includes Rodgers' comments. "Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up, and we will debate the facts further in court."