Aaron Rodgers says he's 'glad' Jimmy Kimmel isn't on Jeffrey Epstein's list, but doesn't apologize for claim

The NFL quarterback previously insinuated that the comedian was connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

Less than a day after Jimmy Kimmel called for Aaron Rodgers to apologize for insinuating that he had ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the NFL quarterback addressed the situation — and, notably, did not apologize — on Tuesday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.

Rodgers, 40, previously implied that Kimmel’s name would be among those included on a list of celebrities who allegedly flew on Epstein’s plane, visited his island, or were involved in the financier’s sex-trafficking operation ahead of the recent release of unsealed Epstein-related court documents. Kimmel's name was not featured on any list, nor has such a list been released.

On Tuesday, Rodgers directed his statement toward the “woke establishment” before going on a five-minute-long tirade about COVID-19 vaccines, conspiracy theories, government entities, and the pharmaceutical industrial complex, among other topics. He noted that his feud with Kimmel “goes back to COVID times” when the comedian made “jokes about my immunization” and other “derogatory” comments about those who were critical of the vaccine.

“In my opinion, you went after me, that’s fine, you’re a comedian, go for it,” he said. “Not offended, but that was an L.”

Rodgers then suggested that Kimmel had misunderstood his initial remark, which he described as a "joke" made amid “excitement to expose corruption” at the time. “Then, unprompted, [Kimmel] comes out and says that I’m an overly concussed wacko,” Rodgers said. “In my opinion, it seemed like because I believed that there was a list and that there were names on that.”

While Rodgers can “totally understand how serious an allegation of pedophilia” is and why Kimmel would be “upset” about it, the athlete said that wasn’t what he meant by his original comment.

“I’m not stupid enough to accuse you of that with absolutely zero concrete evidence. That’s ridiculous,” he said. “One, those crimes are heinous, and two, I’m glad you’re not on a list because those who are on the list — and this is what I think we can agree on — that, at minimum, there should be an inquiry into their involvement, especially if they went to the island, and, at maximum, there should be an investigation into it.”

Kimmel wasn’t the only person who Rodgers called out during his rant. He also said that ESPN senior vice president of digital and studio production Mike Foss — who apologized on behalf of the network for Rodgers’ “dumb and factually inaccurate joke” — “didn’t help out” with the situation either. 

“I still haven’t popped a bottle because there hasn’t been any list that’s come out. I’m glad that Jimmy’s not on the list. I really am. I don’t think he’s the P-word,” Rodgers continued. “I think it’s impressive that a man who went to Arizona State and has 10 joke writers can read off a prompter.”

He concluded, “I wish him the best. Again, I don’t give a s--- what he says about me. As long as he understands what I actually said, and that I’m not accusing him of being on the list, then I’m all for moving forward.”

During his opening Jimmy Kimmel Live monologue on Monday, Kimmel slammed Rodgers after the court documents “did come out and, of course, my name wasn’t on it, isn’t on it, won’t ever be on it.” He added, “I don’t know Jeffrey Epstein. I’ve never met Jeffrey Epstein. I was not on a list. I was not on a plane, or an island, or anything ever.”

The comedian, who threatened legal action against Rodgers last week, then called upon him to apologize, noting it's "what a decent person would do, but I bet he won’t.” He added, "I hope I’m wrong. That’s how I think it will go.”

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Whoopi Goldberg debunks rumors about herself, including Epstein list, backstage Oprah fight: 'It's insane'

• 5 of the most shocking moments from Netflix's Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

• It's time: Watch Mariah Carey pull an insanely festive prank on Jimmy Kimmel while he's sleeping

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.