The two professional athletes had different reactions to former President Trump’s appearance at UFC 302, held at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday night.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a potential running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was escorted into the arena by UFC president Dana White and did not look at Trump, who nodded in his direction, as he headed to his front row seat.
Trump, who was found guilty on Thursday of 34 counts of falsifying business records, received a very different reaction from another professional athlete.
UFC star Sean Strickland cheered him on after his split decision win over Paulo Costa in the co-main event.
“President Trump, you’re the best,” Strickland told Rogan in a post-fight interview after his win. “What they’re doing to you is a total travesty. I’m going to donate to you.”
The majority of the arena crowd also showed their support for Trump.
“The applause he’s getting right now is pretty amazing,” Joe Rogan said. He spoke on air as Trump entered the arena.
As for Rodgers, he recently said at Jets OTAs that he’s a supporter of RFK Jr. but still wants to play football.
“I love Bobby,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had some great conversations. But I really only had two options: Retire and be his vice president, or stay in the game. And I want to stay in the game.”
