Aaron Rodgers Admits Why He Lost Friendships And Family In New Netflix Documentary
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on December 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST
Aaron Rodgers is addressing his long-standing estrangement from his family, which includes his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, and his brothers, Luke and Jordan.
The family rift became widely known in 2016 when Jordan mentioned on "The Bachelorette" that Aaron was no longer in contact with them. The distance reportedly began in 2014, with various factors contributing to the strain. Some rumors suggested that Aaron’s former girlfriend, Olivia Munn, played a role in the falling out, but Aaron has denied this, clarifying that the issues within his family were "deep-rooted" and unrelated to her.
Now, those estranged relationships are being addressed in the upcoming Netflix documentary "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma."
Aaron Rodgers Admits He Has Lost Friendships And Family
Aaron Rodgers is admitting to how his controversial views have strained his relationships, leading to the loss of family connections and friendships. A big part of the tension seems to come from differences in beliefs, especially regarding religion. His openness about questioning organized religion has reportedly been a tough topic for his parents, who are devout Christians.
In the trailer for "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma," released Tuesday, December 3, Rodgers is heard saying: “Losing friendships, family. It was heartbreaking.”
“Rodgers has shared controversial and crazy conspiracy theories,” another voice is heard saying in the background.
The Rift Between Aaron Rodgers And His Family Became Public In 2016
The rift within Aaron Rodgers' family became public in 2016 when his younger brother, Jordan Rodgers, appeared on JoJo Fletcher's season of "The Bachelorette." During the show, Jordan — who later married Fletcher in 2022 — shared that Aaron had grown distant from their family, bringing the feud into the spotlight.
“It’s just the way he’s chosen to do life,” Jordan explained on the show. “I chose to stay close with my family and my parents and my brother [Luke].”
The family tensions became even more apparent during JoJo Fletcher's visit to Chico, California, for Jordan's hometown date. Fletcher met Jordan's parents, Ed and Darla, along with his brother Luke and Luke’s girlfriend. However, Aaron and his then-girlfriend, Olivia Munn, were notably absent, with two empty chairs at the dinner table serving as a reminder of their missing presence.
During the visit, Luke opened up further, providing additional context about the family’s strained relationship with Aaron. “It’s something we don’t really like to talk about a whole lot,” he told Fletcher on the show. “It pains both of us like, not to have that relationship [with Aaron] — we miss our brother. I trust that God brings things full circle and that everything would just get back to us being a family."
Aaron Rodgers Previously Declined To Comment On His Estranged Relationship With His Family
Although Jordan and Luke spoke openly about their relationship with Aaron on camera, the NFL quarterback chose not to share his perspective when asked by the press. In July 2016, Aaron told ABC’s "WISN 12 News" that he preferred not to comment on the situation involving his brothers and parents, opting to keep the matter private.
“As far as those kinds of things go, I’ve always found that it’s a little inappropriate to talk publicly about some family matters," Aaron said. "So I’m just — I’m not going to speak on those things.”
Aaron Rodgers Has Been Open About His Religious Beliefs
Aaron Rodgers, who grew up in a deeply Christian household, started questioning his faith as he got older. During a 2020 appearance on the "Pretty Intense" podcast, he shared his skepticism about organized religion, saying, "I don't know how you can believe in a God who wants to condemn most of the planet to a fiery hell." He went on to describe religion as something that "can be a crutch" and criticized its exclusivity.
His comments reportedly caused a rift within his family, who were said to be "dismayed" by his statements.
Aaron Rodgers Stirs Up Controversy
Plus, in early 2024, Aaron Rodgers joined the "Look Into It" podcast, where he delved into controversial topics, including theories about the origins of AIDS and COVID-19, suggesting they were government-created for pharmaceutical profit.
Rodgers' remarks have sparked widespread attention and criticism. His earlier comments on religion reportedly created tension within his family, and his endorsement of conspiracy theories has drawn significant public scrutiny. Despite the backlash, Rodgers remains vocal about his beliefs, advocating for personal exploration and challenging mainstream narratives.
"Aaron Rodgers: Enigma" will be released on Netflix on December 17.
