The Green Bay Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-22 on Saturday evening.
Aaron Rodgers was spectacular on the day, leading his squad with a three-touchdown and 202-yard showing en route to a fourth straight victory.
As has often been the case this year, though – Rodgers’ on-the-field heroics did not dominate the postgame conversation.
Rather, what folks couldn’t stop talking about was what happened between him and Erin Andrews.
Andrews, who was doing sideline reporting for the game, conducted a very socially distanced postgame interview.
“I got to sit behind a legend for three years and see what greatness looked like.”@AaronRodgers12 reflects on becoming the @packers all-time TD pass leader. 👏 #CLEvsGB pic.twitter.com/zjQ1ktA12Q
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021
As soon as the interview was over, however – this happened:
Saw a lot online with people saying Erin Andrews was mad about Aaron Rodgers “forcing” a hug after last week’s game. Apparently she got over it. pic.twitter.com/4m4jzRydA1
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) December 26, 2021
Naturally, social media had some reactions:
We just watched Erin Andrews give a socially distanced interview… then after it, hugged Aaron Rodgers after the interview was done.
Hahahahahahahahahahhaa.
— Eric July (@EricDJuly) December 26, 2021
Erin Andrews stood like 10 feet from Aaron Rodgers on camera.
Interview ends.
Erin Andrews hugs Aaron Rodgers.
All on national TV.
And we wonder why the country is confused as hell.— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 26, 2021
Erin Andrews hugging Aaron Rodgers at the end of a socially distanced interview is the TV equivalent of wearing your mask on the way to the table and then taking it off for the rest of the meal.
— Alex Reimer (@AlexReimer1) December 26, 2021
LOL
Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews does the fake 6-feet thing in interviewing Aaron Rodgers then hugs him afterward. As long as we’re all on same page of fakeness, I’m good.— Bill Burt (@BurtTalksSports) December 26, 2021
This is not Rodgers’ first dance with controversy in recent weeks. He just landed in hot water on Tuesday for some comments that certain folks didn’t appreciate and his choice of attire.
All of that being said, despite offseason theatrics involving his future and irrespective of the fact that he loathes his front office (and his own teammates dislike him) – Rodgers has been an absolute stud on the field.
That’s one way to make a hospital visit less scary. https://t.co/1caZtYH4iq
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 25, 2021
And if the Packers ultimately go on to win a Super Bowl in 2022, nobody is going to care all that much about Rodgers’ off-the-field escapades.
Will he be able to silence the haters once and for all? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
