New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers braved the cold on Sunday to support his teammates from the sidelines in his first public appearance since claiming Jimmy Kimmel would be named to Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates.
A list of disgraced financier Epstein's associates from court files was made public this week and ahead of its release, Rodgers, 40, claimed that the late host Kimmel could be one of the names on the list.
The NFL star made the claims during his weekly Tuesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, prompting the seething comedian to take legal action.
But the four-time MVP appeared to have put his bitter feud with Kimmel aside as he packed up to watch the Jets' season finale in frigid New England on Sunday.
New York traveled to a snowy Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where temperatures dropped to 35F to close out the season against the New England Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers was seen for the first time since accusing Jimmy Kimmel of being on the Epstein List during his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday
The Jets quarterback braved the cold on Sunday to support his teammates against the Patriots
Rodgers claimed that late host Jimmy Kimmel could be one of the names on the list
Rodgers hasn't played since Week 1, when he tore his Achilles tendon just four times in his debut for the New York Jets.
But despite his failed attempt at a miraculous comeback during the playoffs — when New York's postseason hopes were over in December — the signal caller was regularly on the sidelines to continue supporting his teammates.
However, this week's appearance comes amid more controversy for the veteran than most following his fiery altercation with Kimmel.
Rodgers escalated their dispute, which was sparked by a condom jibe over Kimmel's unvaccinated status of the NFL player in 2021, during McAfee's show earlier this week.
The former Super Bowl winner's 'joke' came as he did began by outlining a conspiracy theory about the colors of the NFL's Super Bowl decals and predicting the teams that will play the big game that season.
The panel was baffled by the NFL star's long-winded explanation, and co-host AJ Hawk interrupted to jokingly ask if it was about the Epstein list.
The former Super Bowl winner jumped at the chance to take on his old foe, saying, “There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, who are hoping that list doesn't come to fruition.”
It prompted an expletive-laden response from the glowing TV host, who posted on you may come across my name on a different 'list' than the obviously fake nonsense that crazy idiots like you can't seem to distinguish from reality,” the comedian said angrily.
The 40-year-old holed up on Sunday to watch the Jets' season finale in frigid New England
The four-time MVP appeared to have put aside his bitter feud with Kimmel on Sunday
The former Super Bowl winner was seen talking to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
New York traveled to a snowy Gillette Stadium, where the temperature dropped to 35F
“Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep up the good work and we will discuss the facts further in court.'
McAfee then joked that the former Green Bay Packers quarterback had been “waiting in his wine cellar” for the release of the court documents.
“I'll tell you what, if that list comes out, I'll definitely crack open a bottle,” Rodgers said.
McAfee himself expressed outrage on Wednesday, claiming the New York Jets quarterback was “just talking to Kimmel,” with whom he has a long history of tension.
Yet according to Front office sports'Michael McCarthyESPN has distanced itself from Rodgers' comments, admitting he should never have made them in the first place.
Mike Foss, the network's senior vice president, said: “Aaron made a stupid and factually incorrect joke about Jimmy Kimmel. It should never have happened. We all realized that at that moment.'
Foss, however believes Rodgers will continue to appear on the show in the future. “The show will continue to evolve. It wouldn't surprise me if Aaron's role evolves along with it.'