Rodgers' Allegations: Unraveling the Clash with Kimmel and ESPN
10.01.2024 posted by Admin
On a recent episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Aaron Rodgers refused to offer an apology to Jimmy Kimmel regarding his earlier insinuations about the late-night host's connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The quarterback for the New York Jets, however, clarified that he never directly accused Kimmel of being a pedophile.
"I’m not labeling him as one, and I urge others not to do so," Rodgers emphasized. "Let me make it perfectly clear – I derive no pleasure or satisfaction from anyone making such allegations. So, don’t associate that with me. Don’t do it at all. Those are grave accusations meant for individuals on the official list."
Rodgers stressed that while some names emerged from a 2005 deposition, there are still flight logs and additional revelations to come. He suggested that corruption runs deep in this matter, a sentiment shared by many who have delved into it. Nevertheless, he reiterated, "I'm not calling him one. No one should. Don’t do it in my name. That’s not cool. I’m not about that."
These comments seemed to backtrack from his statements on ESPN the previous week, prompting ESPN spokesman Mike Foss to criticize them as both foolish and inaccurate. Notably, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs on ABC, and both ESPN and ABC fall under the Disney umbrella.
Kimmel responded by reposting a segment from “The Pat McAfee Show” on social media, vehemently denying the allegation. On his own show, he devoted a seven-minute monologue to addressing Rodgers' "false and very damaging statement."
"My name wasn’t on the Epstein list, isn’t on it, and never will be," Kimmel asserted. He suggested that if Rodgers wanted to make such statements, it should be done in a court setting, allowing him to present evidence before a judge.
Rodgers had previously claimed on the McAfee show that Kimmel's name would surface in court documents related to a 2015 lawsuit involving Ghislaine Maxwell. This lawsuit resulted in a judge ordering the release of names that had been previously concealed in court filings. The reasons for inclusion varied widely.
Kimmel responded on Twitter, expressing concern for his family's safety due to Rodgers' "reckless words." He hinted that Rodgers might have made these remarks because of previous jokes Kimmel made about the quarterback's appearance and vaccination status. Kimmel called Rodgers "too arrogant to know how ignorant he is."
He differentiated his show's content, stating, "We say a lot of things on this show. We don’t make up lies." Kimmel insisted that if he gets a fact wrong, he apologizes on air, suggesting Rodgers should follow suit because "it’s what a decent person would do."
Addressing the situation on his show, McAfee acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, apologized for any negative association, and expressed a commitment to keeping the show positive and uplifting.
Rodgers, in response, acknowledged the severity of the accusation but maintained that he never directly accused Kimmel of being a pedophile. He dismissed the idea of making such a serious claim without concrete evidence and emphasized the need for an inquiry into the involvement of those on the official list.
The fallout from Rodgers' comments led to apologies on the show, allegations of sabotage against ESPN executive Norby Williamson, and a statement from ESPN, committing to handle the matter internally. Rodgers continued to criticize ESPN, particularly targeting Mike Foss, ESPN’s senior VP of studio and digital production, for his comments on Rodgers' previous statements.
"I’m not labeling him as one, and I urge others not to do so," Rodgers emphasized. "Let me make it perfectly clear – I derive no pleasure or satisfaction from anyone making such allegations. So, don’t associate that with me. Don’t do it at all. Those are grave accusations meant for individuals on the official list."
Rodgers stressed that while some names emerged from a 2005 deposition, there are still flight logs and additional revelations to come. He suggested that corruption runs deep in this matter, a sentiment shared by many who have delved into it. Nevertheless, he reiterated, "I'm not calling him one. No one should. Don’t do it in my name. That’s not cool. I’m not about that."
These comments seemed to backtrack from his statements on ESPN the previous week, prompting ESPN spokesman Mike Foss to criticize them as both foolish and inaccurate. Notably, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs on ABC, and both ESPN and ABC fall under the Disney umbrella.
Kimmel responded by reposting a segment from “The Pat McAfee Show” on social media, vehemently denying the allegation. On his own show, he devoted a seven-minute monologue to addressing Rodgers' "false and very damaging statement."
"My name wasn’t on the Epstein list, isn’t on it, and never will be," Kimmel asserted. He suggested that if Rodgers wanted to make such statements, it should be done in a court setting, allowing him to present evidence before a judge.
Rodgers had previously claimed on the McAfee show that Kimmel's name would surface in court documents related to a 2015 lawsuit involving Ghislaine Maxwell. This lawsuit resulted in a judge ordering the release of names that had been previously concealed in court filings. The reasons for inclusion varied widely.
Kimmel responded on Twitter, expressing concern for his family's safety due to Rodgers' "reckless words." He hinted that Rodgers might have made these remarks because of previous jokes Kimmel made about the quarterback's appearance and vaccination status. Kimmel called Rodgers "too arrogant to know how ignorant he is."
He differentiated his show's content, stating, "We say a lot of things on this show. We don’t make up lies." Kimmel insisted that if he gets a fact wrong, he apologizes on air, suggesting Rodgers should follow suit because "it’s what a decent person would do."
Addressing the situation on his show, McAfee acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, apologized for any negative association, and expressed a commitment to keeping the show positive and uplifting.
Rodgers, in response, acknowledged the severity of the accusation but maintained that he never directly accused Kimmel of being a pedophile. He dismissed the idea of making such a serious claim without concrete evidence and emphasized the need for an inquiry into the involvement of those on the official list.
The fallout from Rodgers' comments led to apologies on the show, allegations of sabotage against ESPN executive Norby Williamson, and a statement from ESPN, committing to handle the matter internally. Rodgers continued to criticize ESPN, particularly targeting Mike Foss, ESPN’s senior VP of studio and digital production, for his comments on Rodgers' previous statements.