State Farm Supports Aaron Rodgers’ Choices But Drops His Ads

For nearly a decade, State Farm insurance featured Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in its commercials. However, his recent bout with coronavirus and his subsequent opinions on the subject changed all that. 

RELATED: Bill Maher Denounces the NFL’s Black National Anthem

Aaron Rodgers Tests Positive For COVID-19, Reveals He Remains Unvaccinated

Over the weekend, the football star tested positive for COVID-19. He then later said that he remains unvaccinated throughout the pandemic.

More importantly, Rodgers said he avoided getting the vaccines even with the NFL’s vaccine requirements. 

As a result of the admission, State Farm commercials that featured Rodgers also disappeared from the airwaves. In the nearly 400 State Farm commercials that aired Sunday, he only appeared a total of 1.5%.

This is according to Apex Marketing Group, a sponsorship, and analytics company. In contrast, Rodgers appeared for more than 20% of all State Farm advertisements during the previous two weeks.

Apex President Eric Smallwood said that the moves indicated that State Farm didn’t plan this decision. Instead, they were more reactionary in nature. 

NFL Doctor Told Rodgers Vaccinated People Can’t Get or Spread The Virus

Meanwhile, the National Football League denied claims by Rodgers. He said that a league doctor told him vaccinated people can’t contract or spread the coronavirus.

Rodgers made the claim in an appearance Friday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday. He defended his decision to not get vaccinated. In addition, he criticized the league for its treatment of unvaccinated players.

“One of the main docs said it's impossible for a vaccinated person to get COVID or spread COVID,” Rodgers said”We know now that information is totally false.” 

Meanwhile, the NFL contradicted what Rodgers said. In an emailed statement, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy denied the football star’s claims. “No, it's not true.

No doctor from the league or the joint NFL-NFLPA infectious disease consultants communicated with the player. If they had, they certainly would have never said anything like that,” he said. 

Coronavirus vaccines can reduce the likelihood of severe illness and death from COVID-19, but they cannot prevent people from getting infected or spreading the disease 100%.

State Farm Commends Rodgers But Distanced Themselves

In a statement issued Monday, State Farm thanked Rodgers and praised him for being a “great ambassador” for the company over the years.

However, the insurance firm began to distance itself from its endorser’s views on vaccines. “We don’t support some of the statements that he has made, but we respect his right to have his own personal point of view.

We recognize our customers, employees, agents, and brand ambassadors come from all walks of life, with differing viewpoints on many issues,” State Farm said. 

In addition, the company reiterated that it continues to encourage vaccinations against the coronavirus. However, it respected “everyone’s right to make a choice based on their personal circumstances” on whether to vaccinate or not. 

Other Companies Also Distancing Themselves From Aaron Rodgers

Prevea Health, a Wisconsin health care organization, also announced Friday that it will drop Rodgers after nine years of partnership. Prevea said it made a mutual decision with the Packers quarterback to end the working relationship.

Rodgers also featured in major advertising campaigns with big brands such as Adidas, Bose, Izod, and Pizza Hut. The latter, however, said that Pizza Hut last worked with Rodgers during the NFL’s 2012-2103 season. The other companies have yet to disclose their plans. 

Robert Passikoff, Brand Keys founder, said that State Farm had no choice but to drop the star football player. Rodgers’ views on vaccines undercut State Farm’s business.

“If you’re an insurance company, you’re supposed to be looking out for your customers and doing the best thing for them,” he said. “You can argue the pros and cons of what he said, but it’s better off than people aren’t sick.

Watch the CBS Mornings video reporting that fallout grows over Aaron Rodgers' COVID-19 comments:

Do you agree with State Farm’s decision to drop Aaron Rodgers’ from their list of celebrity endorsers? What do you think will happen to Rodgers’ other endorsements?

Let us know what you think. Share your comments below.