Aaron Rodgers Denies CNN 'Report' That He Said Sandy Hook Massacre Did Not Happen

Published|Updated

As OutKick reported on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. suggested he could pick NFL star Aaron Rodgers as his running mate in a presidential bid, CNN published an "exclusive report" that could more accurately be described as a "hit piece." 

From Wednesday: CNN says it spoke to two sources – one of whom works for CNN – that claim Rodgers previously told them he believes the mass shooting at Sandy Hook in 2012 did not actually happen. 

On Thursday, video surfaced from 2013 in which Rodgers – then the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers – spoke about the devastating Sandy Hook shooting as a potential teaching moment for American society. 

"I hope that we can learn from this, and look for the signs more, and not ever have something like this happen and keep this on our minds," Rodgers said on 540 ESPN Milwaukee. "These are things that affect all of us directly or indirectly. This needs to be something that we learn from."

Aaron Rodgers fired back after CNN published a hit piece on the quarterback that called him a Sandy Hook denier.

Aaron Rodgers fired back after CNN published a hit piece on the quarterback that called him a Sandy Hook denier. 

If that wasn't enough, Rodgers himself took to social media to make his feelings clear: he is not a "Sandy Hook denier." 

"As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy," Rodgers wrote on X. 

"I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community." 

CNN has yet to respond to Rodgers refutation, but OutKick will update if/when they do.

Tags
Written by

Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.