Travis Kelce Fires Back at Aaron Rodgers in 'Vax Wars' After 'Mr. Pfizer' Jab

After Aaron Rodgers called him "Mr. Pfizer," Travis Kelce returned with jokes of his own as he also explained why he chose to be a spokesperson for the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

Author:
Joshua Brisco
Oct 6, 2023 6:55 PM EDT

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Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has had a busy start to the 2023 NFL season. First, Kelce's entire year appeared to be in jeopardy after suffering a knee injury in the final practice before the Chiefs' season began. Then, he started "hanging out" with pop superstar Taylor Swift, one of the most famous people in the world. Now, he's found himself in "the vax wars" with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, who is on injured reserve due to an Achilles injury suffered early in his first game as a Jet, threw a barb Kelce's way on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday while referencing Kelce's new ad campaign with Pfizer which promotes a new COVID-19 vaccine (and the ability to "do two things at once" by getting the latest COVID and flu shots in the same visit).

"Y'know, Mr. Pfizer, we kind of shut him down a little bit, he didn't have a crazy impact game," Rodgers said. "Obviously he had, y'know, some yards and stuff, but it felt like for the most part, y'know, we played really tough on defense."

Oct 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) chats with Jets injured QB Aaron Rogers, pregame at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, Kelce spoke to members of the Kansas City media and was asked about Rodgers's needling.

"I thought it was pretty good," Kelce said. "I mean, with the 'stache, I kind of look like a guy named Mr. Pfizer. Who knew I’d get into the vax wars with Aaron Rogers, man? 'Mr. Pfizer' vs. the Johnson & Johnson family over there."

Kelce's mention of "the Johnson & Johnson family" refers to Jets owner Woody Johnson being the heir to Johnson & Johnson, a fellow pharmaceutical giant that also produced COVID-19 vaccines.

Kelce was then asked to expand on why he decided to join the Pfizer campaign and he restated his vaccination stance — adding that he doesn't mind the new nickname.

"I got it [the vaccine] because of keeping myself safe, keeping my family safe, the people in this building, so yeah, I stand by it, one thousand percent, and I’m fully comfortable with him calling me 'Mr. Pfizer.'"