We knew this was coming. After Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ staunch defense of Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and Braun’s subsequent acceptance of a 65-game suspension from MLB for taking performance-enhancing drugs, people were going to ask.
“Whaddya think now, Aaron?”
“I was shocked, I really was, just like many of you were,” Rodgers said in a jam-packed press gathering in front of his locker after the Packers’ first training camp practice. “I was backing up a friend. He looked me in the eye on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied these allegations and said they were not true.
“So, it is disappointing, not only for myself as a friend, but for obviously Wisconsin sports fans, Brewer fans, really baseball fans. It doesn’t feel great being lied to like that and I’m disappointed in the way it all went down.”
Rodgers went on to say he’s talked to Braun since that fucking liar and cheater got suspended and it doesn’t sound like their relationship is too rosy at the moment. Rodgers was asked if he still considered Braun a friend and fired off another line about how he was disappointed and hurt.
Further complicating matters here is Rodgers and Braun own two restaurants together in Milwaukee. Rodgers didn’t give any indication that relationship will continue.
“That’s yet to be determined,” Rodgers said. “I don’t regret backing a friend up. Obviously in hindsight a more measured approach would obviously be a better course of action. I definitely believe in forgiveness and moving forward. He has a tough task in front of him moving forward with his career, on and off the field.
“As far as the business goes, right now I’m focused on football and I have people who can help me with those issues.”
Interestingly, one of the Packers PR flacks cut the line of questioning about Braun off five questions into Rodgers’ media session because, you know, reporters shouldn’t be able to ask the questions they want. At least in Green Bay.
So this is probably the last you’ll hear about it.