​Aaron Rodgers hands Stephen A. Smith rare ‘flowers’ after stunning Kyrie Irving walk-back originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.During the 2021–22 NBA season, First Take host Stephen A. Smith was one of Kyrie Irving’s harshest critics, famously labeling the Brooklyn Nets guard “stubid” and “selfish” for refusing to comply with New York’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. However, five years later, Smith completely reversed his stance. He interrupted his vacation to issue a monologue on The Stephen A. Smith Show, officially walking back his past insults and calling Irving’s decision to stand his ground “brave” instead.Smith revealed that his dramatic change of heart was triggered by watching former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoke his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times during a recent Senate hearing regarding the pandemic. Smith explained that Fauci’s silence created a justifiable “ground for suspicion” against early pandemic health protocols.That apology reached Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers gave Smith credit for the reversal. “I gotta give flowers to Stephen A. Smith, because he was man enough to admit and actually apologize to Kyrie Irving,” Rodgers said. “I gotta give a shoutout to my guy Stephen A. You are not a coward.”Aaron Rodgers Shouts Out Stephen A Smith For Apologizing To Kyrie Irving:“I gotta give flowers to Stephen A Smith, because he was man enough to admit and actually apologize to Kyrie Irving.” https://t.co/XAP0F5yPVmpic.twitter.com/8bE1LByQUU— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) August 3, 2026Rodgers, 42, is entering his 22nd NFL season. He recently confirmed that this year with the Pittsburgh Steelers will be his last before retirement. The four-time MVP has long faced criticism for his vaccine stance, starting with his controversial “immunized” comment in 2021. He frequently revisits this history during appearances on The Pat McAfee Show. Following Stephen A. Smith’s public apology, Rodgers returned to the show to argue that history has finally vindicated him.However, Smith also expanded his apology to include other sports figures. During the same show, he stated that the media also owes a public apology to Rodgers, Novak Djokovic, Bryson DeChambeau, and Conor McGregor for how they were treated during the pandemic.More NBA news:Lakers pursuit of Mavericks’ Klay Thompson gets discouraging updateKevin Durant has unapologetic reminder for critics calling LeBron James’ 76ers move ‘unfair’Spurs have assets to pair Stephen Curry with Victor WembanyamaSteph Curry and Warriors reportedly eyeing a familiar face after failed LeBron James’ pursuitMavericks deal major setback to rivals in firm Kyrie Irving trade decision