Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played the position of ambassador of peace on Sunday, slamming a fan who used the moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks to yell, “Muslims suck!”
Interviewed by ESPN’s Bob Holtzman, Rodgers pronounced his approval of the moment of silence, stating, “I think it’s important to do things like [the moment of silence]. We’re a connected world—you know, six degrees of separation.”
Rodgers seemed to imply that the kind of sentiment expressed by the fan was the cause of the hatred for terrorist attacks on the West, offering, “I must admit, though, I was very disappointed with whoever the fan was who made a comment that I thought was really inappropriate during the moment of silence. It’s that kind of prejudicial ideology that I think puts us in the position that we’re in today as a world.”
Ironically, the Packers-Detroit Lions game featured the Packers’ “Salute to Service” to honor the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Paris attacks committed by Muslim terrorists on Friday resulted in the massacre of 129 people, leaving over 300 others wounded; ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks. All NFL games on Sunday featured a moment of silence for the the Paris victims; Lambeau Field flew French and American flags in the stadium before the game.
The Packers fell to the lowly Lions 18-16, as Rodgers went 35-of-61 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, but Green Bay didn’t even score a touchdown until 5:55 remained on the clock. Detroit improved to 2-7 while the Packers dropped to 6-3. The upstart Minnesota Vikings, with a maturing Teddy Bridgewater and resurgent Adrian Peterson, claim sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
Rodgers is no stranger to offering his political opinions; after voters reelected Barack Obama in 2012, Rodgers tweeted: “Obama for four more years, I don’t hate it!”