The Aaron Rodgers vs Jimmy Kimmel beef is just a few days old and it might not die any time soon.
The conflict between the New York Jets star and the late-night show host spilled on January 3 as America waited for the release of the infamous Epstein Client List.
For the uninitiated, the Epstein Client List pertains to the documents sealed by the court as they investigate the human and sex trafficking committed by Jeff Epstein. They were released on Thursday and people expected it to have "clients" or "co-conspirators", mostly high-profile names.
In short, getting associated with the list is dangerous and implicating.
Rodgers, according to some users, stepped over some line for dropping Kimmel's name as among those that are on the list.
He said in the Pat MacAfee show: "There's a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, really hoping that doesn't come out."
"I'll tell you what, if that lists comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle," he added.
Read more: 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Roster: Top 5 Snubs This Year
MacAfee, whose name got bigger over the last season because of his ESPN show podcast and partnership with Rodgers, only laughed.
Kimmel did not waste time debunking such claims. Over at X, he tagged and cursed Rodgers for libelous statements and warned that he is considering taking legal action against him.
"Dear Aasshole: for the record, I've not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any "list" other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can't seem to distinguish from reality. Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court. @AaronRodgers12"
Dear Aasshole: for the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any “list” other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality. Your reckless… https://t.co/p8eug12uiS
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 2, 2024
Kimmel and Rodgers' beef history
The Aaron Rodgers vs Jimmy Kimmel verbal exchanges did not start this year. It goes back to 2021 when Rodgers made some conspiracy and anti-vax claims amid the surge of COVID-19 cases, prompting the host to criticize him.
Rodgers said through the Pat MacAFfee he was immunized from COVID-19 and he learned it after consulting his friend and podcaster Joe Rogan. The clip from the show became part of the skit by Jimmy Kimmel in his own program.
The NFL superstar also suggested that the UFO discussions might be a distraction put out so that people will forget about the Epstein list.
Kimmel said that the NFL might need to visit its concussion protocol for these comments.
Pat MacAfee makes a cheap apology, Rodgers silent
MacAfee immediately apologized for what went down in his show although he did not apologize for the things that were said.
"I can see exactly why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position," he said. "But I think Aaron was just trying to talk s---. Now, did it go too far? A lot of people - Jimmy Kimmel certainly said that was the case."
"We apologize for being part of it," he added.
The video, already with 107 million views on X, is yet to be taken down.
Should ESPN do something about the show?
The show airs through ESPN which is under Disney, the employer of the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
NBC Sports suggested that ESPN should do something about Rodgers because of the weight of his comments.
However, MacAfee and Rodgers might go unpunished.
"Rodgers has a deal with McAfee's show that would be tough to void," NBC Sports writing citing an unnamed ESPN.
"Both Rodgers and McAfee don't care about repercussions."
Is Kimmel on the Epstein List?
The Epstein Client List turned out to be underwhelming as no new name was dropped by the exposè.
As for Rodgers, Kimmel is not on the list.
Looks like the New York Jets and ESPN will have a busy offseason.
Related article: Jets' Aaron Rodgers' Pat McAfee Show Appearances Are Not Free - How Much is He Making?
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