Aaron Rodgers Was in Costa Rican Cleansing Ceremony When News Leaked That RFK Jr. Asked Him to Be Running Mate

Mar. 15, 2025

Aaron Rodgers and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Photo:Robert F. Kennedy Jr/X

Robert F. Kennedy Jr/X

Aaron Rodgerswas in Costa Rica taking part in a spiritual temazcal ceremony when news broke thatRobert F. Kennedy Jr.had asked the NFL star to be his running mate during his failed 2024 presidential campaign.

A Netflix camera crew filming theAaron Rodgers: Enigmadocumentary appeared to be with Rodgers at the time the news broke, according to interviews he did about the situation while at the temazcal ceremony.

Aaron Rodgers and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Robert F. Kennedy Jr/X

The new three-part Netflix documentary about Rodgers’ life and career began streaming on Tuesday, Dec. 17. PEOPLE got an advanced look at the series, which also shows Rodgers and Kennedy meeting for a hike in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, 2024, where they discuss politics.

“Have you thought about going into politics?” Kennedy asks Rodgers as they begin to walk.

Rodgers tells Kennedy that he first got interested in politics after learning about the assassination ofJohn F. Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s uncle. The quarterback says learning about the various conspiracy theories surrounding the former president’s assassination was his “first entrance into pulling the veil back, as I call it, on what’s actually going on.”

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The New York Jets quarterback then explains to Kennedy that he began thinking about other people’s political opinions after attending the University of California, Berkeley.

“It’s super leftist, and I grew up in a really conservative, small-town environment,” Rodgers says. “So, that was fun to, like, have my ideologies tested.”

Rodgers then tells Kennedy he’s been “disheartened forever” when it comes to U.S. politics, slamming the country’s political system as “a two-party system that’s really one party.”“And the one party that’s ruling is the people with the money,” the NFL star claims during their conversation. “So, I really didn’t have any hope in politics, really,until you announced your candidacy.”

Aaron Rodgers.John Lamparski/Getty Images

John Lamparski/Getty Images

Five days later, Rodgers confirms to documentary producers that Kennedy formally asked him to be his running mate days after that hike, though the exact moment wasn’t caught on camera.

He continued: “But I love football. I want to keep playing. And I hated the way last year went. There’s still some unfinished business in New Jersey.”

The former Super Bowl championultimately declinedKennedy Jr.’s offer and returned as the Jets starter this season, leading the team to a 4-10 record as of Dec. 15 — tied for second worst in the league.

Kennedy Jr.suspended his presidential bidon Aug. 23 and vowed support forDonald Trump, who last monthnominatedthe outspoken anti-vaccine proponent to become head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

All episodes ofAaron Rodgers: Enigmaare now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com