The Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel beef intensified Tuesday with Kimmel threatening potential legal action over a “reckless” allegation by the Jets quarterback.
Rodgers said that Kimmel is one of “a lot of people” who “are really hoping” they are not on the to-be-released court documents linking individuals to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Here’s a look at how this feud originated:
Kimmel’s beef with Rodgers dates back to 2021
This beef originated in November 2021 when Kimmel slammed Rodgers after the then-Packers quarterback tested positive for COVID-19.
Kimmel referenced Rodgers taking a homeopathic treatment instead and then took a dig at Rodgers’ hairdo.
“We should have known because nothing says ‘I heal myself with crystals’ like this haircut. I mean, a little knot on top,” Kimmel said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“Aaron is a Karen, that’s the fact of the matter.”
Kimmel then called out Rodgers for misleading others about his vaccination status, as the future Hall of Famer infamously said he was “immunized.”
“The only thing worse than not getting vaccinated when you’re in close proximity with other people is letting them think you’re vaccinated when you’re not,” Kimmel said during his November 2021 show. “It’s basically the COVID equivalent of ‘The condom fell off.’”
Kimmel ripped Rodgers for being ‘wack Packer’
Days later, Kimmel again went after Rodgers for his anti-vaccination comments directed toward the “woke mob” while on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Kimmel particularly took issue with Rodgers saying he’d received advice from Joe Rogan, including using Ivermectin.
“This was a dumb conversation,” Kimmel said of Rodgers’ talk with McAfee and A.J. Hawk. “But you’ll never guess who this wack Packer has been getting his medical advice from.”
He added: “How does someone who almost hosted ‘Jeopardy!’ come up with 40 incorrect responses in a row?”
Kimmel also took issue with Rodgers quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about having a moral responsibility to object to unjust laws.
“You didn’t object. You pretended you were vaccinated and snuck around,” Kimmel said. “Always a good move for a white millionaire to half-quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by the way.”
Kimmel then noted how Rodgers has been compared to Kyrie Irving, who also questioned vaccinations.
“That’s not fair. Kyrie Irving is wrong, but at least he’s honest,” Kimmel said. “Aaron Rodgers let everyone around him think he was vaccinated. He’s not Kyrie Irving, he’s Bernie Madoff.”
The segment ended with Kimmel interviewing an impostor who jokingly claimed to be Rodgers’ doctor.
Rodgers unveils conspiracy theory about UFOs
The one-sided beef then died down until February 2023, when Rodgers offered a conspiracy theory regarding UFOs being a distraction amid the potential release of the Epstein client list.
“There’s a lot of old papers and files and different things about interactions that Navy pilots have had, especially Navy pilots, I believe, with unidentified flying objects, so this is not surprising,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, there was some sort of Chinese spy balloon that was up in the air, allegedly, and there’s been a few other objects that have been shot down. I believe that this has been going on for a long time.
“I believe this has been going on for a long time. Interesting timing on everything. There’s a lot of other things going on in the world.”
Rodgers later referenced the Epstein list.
“Did you hear about the Epstein client list about to be released too?” Rodgers asked McAfee. “There’s some files that have some names on it that might be getting released pretty soon.
“(Ghislaine) Maxwell was the only person ever convicted of trafficking, and nobody who was involved in the trafficking ever went to jail, so nothing to see here.”
Jimmy Kimmel
Kimmel responds to Rodgers’ UFO conspiracy theory
Rodgers’ UFO comments did not go unheard by Kimmel, who ripped Rodgers in March 2023.
“Needless to say, all this UFO talk has the tin-foil hatters going wild, including Green Bay wack Packer Aaron Rodgers…,” Kimmel said before showing clips from Rodgers’ statements on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“It might be time to revisit that concussion protocol, Aaron.”
Jimmy Kimmel claims Aaron Rodgers is a “tin foil hatter” for wanting to know the names on the Jeffrey Epstein client list. pic.twitter.com/fZtiULosEM
— Mythinformed (@MythinformedMKE) March 2, 2023
Rodgers’ friend and then-teammate, David Bakhtiari, who plays left tackle for the Packers, clapped back at Kimmel by quote-tweeting Kimmel’s comments while saying: “Tell me you’re on the Jeffrey Epstein client list, without telling me you’re on the Jeffrey Epstein client list….”
Tell me you’re on the Jeffrey Epstein client list, without telling me you’re on the Jeffrey Epstein client list…. https://t.co/jWkL8LfOMT
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) March 3, 2023What did Rodgers say?
Rodgers fired back at Kimmel in January 2024 by referencing the Epstein list that is set to be released.
“That’s supposed to be coming out soon,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, that are really hoping that doesn’t come out.”
NEW: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he will pop “some sort of bottle” when the Epstein associates list is released and suggests Jimmy Kimmel will be named.Everyone is excited “There’s a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel are really hoping that doesn’t come out.”“I’ll… pic.twitter.com/JRzjznVM7T
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 2, 2024
McAfee then referenced the Rodgers-Kimmel beef history, referencing how Kimmel ripped Rodgers for quotes made on McAfee’s show.
“Aaron has not forgotten about that,” McAfee said.
Rodgers made it clear he’s looking forward to the list being released.
“I’ll tell you what, if that list comes out, I will definitely be popping some sort of bottle,” Rodgers said.
Jets quarterback Aaron RodgersGetty Images
