The triumph of the U.S. ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games was a moment of glory for American sports, but one surrounded by controversy. The most recent controversy was instigated by Aaron Rodgers, who couldn’t resist taking a subtle jab at none other than Kash Patel.
Just over two weeks ago, Team USA gave fans a unique thrill. In an epic game, they defeated the Canadian team 2-1 to win Olympic gold for the first time in four decades.
The victory not only sparked euphoria among fans but also immediately generated controversy, including the presence of FBI Director Kash Patel during the locker room celebrations.
Far from cooling down, the controversy has only grown, now fueled by comments from the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
Rodgers’ subtle jab at Patel
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers criticized Patel’s presence, saying:
Can we get that one guy out of the locker room, though, and get him working on something else? That’s a bad look. Come on, have some awareness.
Although he didn’t mention the FBI director by name, the reference isn’t hard to make. Not only was Patel seen by witnesses, but he also appeared in a live video posted by Dylan Larkin on Instagram.
Even worse, Patel was accused of using federal resources to travel to the Winter Olympics with his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins. But this doesn’t mean he’s kept quiet.
Patel defends himself against criticism
As criticism from the media and fans mounts, Patel took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend himself and, in doing so, fire back at the media.
“For the very concerned media – yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys,” Patel wrote.
He ended his post by saying, “Greatest country on earth and the greatest sport on earth.”
For Rodgers, however, that doesn’t seem to be enough.