Vikings

Aaron Rodgers Accuses Anthony Barr of Taunting After Causing Broken Collarbone

(photo credit: Brian Curski, Cumulus Media)

Sidelined until at least Week 15 with a broken collarbone, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had some interesting remarks about what happened following his injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6.

Appearing on a late night show with Conan O’Brien during the Packers bye week, Rodgers recalled the play where Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr tackled him following a throw in the first quarter during their game on Oct. 15.

“I rolled out to my right. I threw the ball. I got tackled and kind of slammed into the ground. I looked over at [Barr] as I walked off the field. The cameras caught me saying something to him, but what they missed was him [giving me the] finger and suck-it sign,” said Rodgers, mimicking the gestures to O’Brien.

There is ostensibly no video of Barr’s gestures, so Rodgers’ word stands on its own for now, though head coach Mike McCarthy and multiple Packers players have condemned Barr’s hit. McCarthy called it “unnecessary” and “an illegal act” the day after the game.

Barr was not fined for the hit on Rodgers, though he was fined $9,115 for head-butting Davante Adams later in the game, which he said was a result of him “being stupid.”

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer — after criticizing Barr for having a “tendency to coast” last year — has been quick to praise the fourth-year linebacker for his renewed intensity. After a down third season, Barr will certainly be in the conversation to receive a contract extension this offseason.

“Anthony has been playing great,” said Zimmer last Sunday. “He’s been playing with a lot of fire, tenacity.”

It’s possible that Barr’s tenacity manifested itself with a couple of unsportsmanlike plays against the Packers. The linebacker was sympathetic towards Rodgers, however, when he spoke with the media last Friday.

“I know my intent was not to injure,” Barr said. “I’m out there trying to play as hard as I can, as fast as I can, to the best of my ability every time I touch the field. I hate to see anybody injured. I didn’t even realize he was injured until he was kind of walking off the sideline.”

As if the Vikings-Packers rivalry wasn’t strong enough, Rodgers’ accusation should only add fuel to the rematch on Dec. 23. Rodgers will be eligible to play if he is deemed healthy, and he’ll likely have revenge on the mind.

“No respect anymore in this business,” Rodgers told O’Brien.


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