Aaron Rodgers is opening up about a challenging period in his life when he had to confront rumors about his sexuality, a situation he now views as not only frustrating but also disrespectful to the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2013, during the early stages of his NFL career, Rodgers found himself the subject of widespread speculation suggesting he might be gay. These rumors came to a head during a Milwaukee radio interview, where Rodgers felt pressured to address the chatter directly. Reflecting on the experience in a new biography by Ian O’Connor titled Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, the now 40-year-old quarterback expressed his deep discomfort with how the situation was framed.
“I was upset at the framing [of the rumor] because it was meant to shame the idea of being gay, and I have so many friends that are gay in the community,” Rodgers shared with O’Connor. He emphasized that his frustration stemmed not from the rumors themselves, but from the implication that being gay was something negative.
Rodgers recalled how the speculation weighed on him, stirring a desire to confront those who were perpetuating the narrative. “Not in relation to me, because I could give a s—t what they thought about me,” he said. “But that they’re using this to shame, like it’s a bad thing to be gay. Like it’s a negative.” This mindset, he explained, was particularly disrespectful to his friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, many of whom do not view their identity as a choice but as an inherent part of who they are.
At the time, Rodgers was torn between calling out the harmful implications of the rumors and following the advice of his friend and co-host, Jason Wilde, who suggested he simply dismiss the speculation. Wilde and Rodgers were co-hosting a segment called “Tuesdays With Aaron” on ESPN Milwaukee, where the rumors were eventually addressed.
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During the interview, Wilde brought up the rumors, and Rodgers responded cautiously, trying to maintain his privacy while addressing the speculation. “Yeah, I’m just going to say, I’m not gay. I really, really like women. That’s all I can say about that,” Rodgers said, adding that he believed personal matters should remain private and separate from his professional life. He tried to downplay the situation, remarking that “there’s always going to be silly stuff out there in the media” that one can’t worry too much about.
Looking back, Rodgers admits he wishes he had handled the situation differently, perhaps being more direct in calling out the underlying homophobia in the rumors. He expressed regret that his response didn’t do more to challenge the harmful stereotypes being propagated.
After the interview, Rodgers’s love life became a frequent topic in the media, with the quarterback dating several high-profile women, including actress Olivia Munn from 2014 to 2017, race car driver Danica Patrick from 2018 to 2020, and actress Shailene Woodley from 2020 to 2022. Most recently, he has been linked to model Mallory Edens, the daughter of Milwaukee Bucks majority owner Wes Edens.
Rodgers’s reflections highlight the complexities of navigating fame, particularly when personal aspects of one’s life become the subject of public scrutiny. His experience underscores the importance of addressing harmful narratives, not just for personal reasons but for the broader impact they can have on communities.
As he continues his career with the New York Jets, Rodgers seems more aware than ever of the responsibility that comes with his platform, and the need to use it thoughtfully.
