New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers took to social media Thursday morning to deny reports that he had endorsed conspiracy theories related to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in the past.
“As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place,” Rodgers said. “Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community.”
A report from CNN claiming Rodgers had endorsed such theories emerged Wednesday, with journalist Pamela Brown recalling that Rodgers “(claimed the shooting) was actually a government inside job and the media was intentionally ignoring it” at the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to…
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) March 14, 2024
Scrutiny of the four-time MVP has increased in recent days, following a report in The New York Times linking Rodgers to a potential independent run for vice president on an independent ticket with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At the beginning of 2024, Rodgers generated controversy by suggesting without evidence that ABC talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel would appear in documents linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.
ESPN subsequently apologized for the incident, and Kimmel rebutted with a flat denial and scathing takedown of Rodgers.
