Once again, Aaron Rodgers appears to have misled the public about a COVID-related health issue.
This time the Green Bay Packers quarterback claims he was just joking during Tuesday’s interview with SiriusXM’s Pat McAfee when he said he was suffering from ‘COVID toe,’ which is something that has actually plagued people who have contracted the virus, such as Rodgers.
‘No lingering effects other than the Covid toe,’ Rodgers told McAfee on Tuesday when asked about his recent bout with COVID-19. Although he did chuckle, Rodgers did not explain that he was joking about the condition.
During a video press conference with reporters on Wednesday, however, the embattled NFL MVP explained that he actually has a fractured toe, and not any lesions that are associated with COVID toe, or pernio, as it is also known.
To prove his point, Rodgers showed his bare foot to the camera while blaming the media for reporting his comments on Tuesday.
‘I mentioned yesterday that it’s worse than turf toe and it must be a bone issue,’ he said, as quoted by Pro Football Talk. ‘I can’t believe I have to come on here and talk about my medical information — but yeah, I have a fractured to.
‘I’ve never had a COVID toe before,’ he continued. ‘I have no lesions on my feet. It’s just a classic case of disinformation. It’s surprising coming from what used to be a reputable journalistic institution. But that’s the world we live in these days.’
Aaron Rodgers proved he does not have any lesions on his toes by revealing his foot on camera
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who is 1-1 since being sidelined with coronavirus , is currently battling a foot problem known as ‘COVID toe,’ he told SiriusXM host Pat McAfee on Tuesday
This is the second time this season Rodgers has confused the public over his health issues.
Previously, when asked in August if he was vaccinated against COVID-19, he told reporters that he was ‘immunized,’ which made it sound as though he had received the injection.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Rodgers was, in fact, not vaccinated when he contracted COVID-19 and was forced to quarantine for 10 days — the minimum amount of time an unvaccinated player must be away from the team, per league rules.
After initially blaming the media for the misunderstanding, Rodgers apologized in a November 9 interview ‘to anybody who felt misled.’
It may sound like a pseudoscientific diagnosis, but Covid toe, also known as pernio or chilblains, has been found ‘with increasing frequency in children and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic,’ according to a recent study in the British Journal of Dermatology. The condition can result in discoloration or lesions around the toes, and as Rodgers said after Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, it is ‘very, very painful’
It would not have been an unusual occurrence for Rodgers to battle COVID toe after being infected with the virus, as he was earlier this month.
It may sound like a pseudoscientific diagnosis, but COVID toe, also known as pernio or chilblains, has been found ‘with increasing frequency in children and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic,’ according to a recent study in the British Journal of Dermatology.
The condition can result in discoloration or lesions around the toes.
Researchers believe that COVID toes are caused by excess interferon, which is a protein the body uses to fight infection.
‘The way I would think about it is it’s basically a side effect of how your own immune system is fighting the virus,’ Esther Freeman, a doctor and principal investigator for the Covid-19 Dermatology Registry, told The Wall Street Journal. ‘It’s part of our body’s response to the response to the virus. It’s almost too much of a good thing.’
Typically the issues subside within one to four weeks of the COVID-19 infection, according to Freeman.
‘The best way to avoid Covid Toes is to get vaccinated,’ Freeman said.
What are ‘COVID toes’ and why do some people who get the virus suffer bruises on their feet?
What are ‘COVID toes’?
‘COVID toes’ are a mysterious symptom of COVID-19 in which patients suffer bruising, rashes and lesions on the feet.
In some cases, people can experience the condition on their fingers as well.
COVID toes can develop at any age, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says it is more common among children, teenagers and young adults.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The skin on one or more of the toes swells up and becomes red and inflamed before turning purple.
In addition to discolored feet, suffers may also experience
- Blisters
- Pain
- Itching
- Patches of rough skin
- Small amount of pus under the skin
What causes COVID toes?
It’s still unclear what causes COVID toes, but there are several theories.
One study from France theorized the complication is caused by antibodies mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissue
Others suggest the skin reaction could be the result of tiny clots in the toes’ blood vessels caused by the virus.
Additionally, doctors say that it’s common for people to develop rashes when they’re battling infections, especially viral respiratory infections like COVID-19.
How do you get rid of COVID toes?
The AAD recommends applying a hydrocortisone cream to reduce symptoms such as pain and itching.
COVID toes generally clear up on their own in about a week or two with no long-term damage to the skin.
However, if you experience a foot rash spontaneously with no other symptoms, immediately contact your primary care physician.
Researchers say COVID toes are caused by excess interferon, which is a protein the body uses to fight infection. This photo shows an anonymous patient’s COVID toe
Howard Stern continued his attacks on ‘f***head’ Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week for what the SiriusXM host characterized as his lie about being vaccinated
Controversy over Rodgers’s vaccination status erupted earlier this month when he tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to enter a 10-day quarantine — the minimum amount of time an unvaccinated player is asked to quarantine, per NFL rules.
The revelation that he’s unvaccinated came as a surprise to many because Rodgers seemed to indicate in August that he had received the injection when he told reporters that he was ‘immunized.’ As it turned out, he never received the vaccine and was only referring to a doctor-prescribed treatment aimed at raising his antibody levels.
Rodgers has since apologized ‘to anybody who felt misled,’ but stopped short of admitting that he lied to reporters back in training camp.
Howard Stern continued his attacks on Rodgers this week for what the SiriusXM host characterized as his lie about being vaccinated.
‘This f******* Aaron Rodgers, he’s a scumbag because he lied,’ said Stern, who previously called for him to be banned from the league.
Rodgers missed one game due to COVID-19, but has since recovered while receiving medical advice from podcaster and vaccine skeptic Joe Rogan (pictured). The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player is 1-1 in two games since his return while battling a toe injury. Stern didn’t hesitate to seize on that injury to illustrate another point about Rodgers. ‘Now I hear he has a toe injury,’ said Stern, who is admittedly not a football fan. ‘Let me ask you something: When he had the toe injury, did he go to the doctor or did he go to Joe Rogan?’
Stern, 67, is an outspoken advocate for the vaccine, but said Rodgers’s biggest transgression was giving those around him a false sense of security.
‘Forget about the fact that he didn’t take the vaccine, he lied to everybody,’ Stern continued. ‘He put people in danger. People have families. He’s a f***head and the NFL should be ashamed of themselves.’
Rodgers missed one game due to COVID-19, but has since recovered while receiving medical advice from podcaster and vaccine skeptic Joe Rogan. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player is 1-1 in two games since his return while battling COVID toes.
Stern didn’t hesitate to seize on that injury to illustrate another point about Rodgers.
‘Now I hear he has a toe injury,’ said Stern, who is admittedly not a football fan. ‘Let me ask you something: When he had the toe injury, did he go to the doctor or did he go to Joe Rogan?
‘Who fixed his toe?’ Stern continued. ‘I bet you he went to a doctor. So he goes to doctors for everything else, but on the vaccine he’s listening to Joe Rogan. What the f*** is going on? We’ve got to put our faith in science.’
Rodgers has been the target of criticism since his COVID-19 diagnosis and the revelation that he never received the vaccine.
He shared his reasoning on the Pat McAfee Show on November 5, explaining that he’s allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine and also had concerns about potentially becoming a parent after getting the injection. Rodgers also blamed the confusion for his vaccination status on reporters for failing to ask any follow-up questions in August.
However, in another interview with McAfee on November 9, Rodgers admitted to misleading the public and apologized ‘to anybody who felt misled.’
Rodgers’s tone was much less defiant in his November 9 interview with McAfee.
‘Hate is not going to bring us out of this pandemic,’ Rodgers said. ‘It’s going to be connecting and love. And I’m not going to hate on anybody that’s said things about me. I believe everybody is entitled to their opinion and I always will believe that.’