Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won 28-22
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won 28-22
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers took to social media Monday to call out racist messages he received from NFL fans
Rodgers called them "some of the most racist comments I ever seen or read since I enter the league"
The Vikings denounced the fans' racist messages, saying "there simply is no room for racist words or actions in sports or society."
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers took to social media on Monday to call out racist messages he says he routinely receives from NFL fans.
Rodgers, 27, reportedly shared a number of screenshots of the racist messages on his Instagram Stories following the Vikings' 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 19. Some of the messages used the N-word and described the NFL star as “a waste of air,” while another message said Rodgers was “worse than hitler,” according to ESPN, Yahoo! Sports and Sports Illustrated.
The NFL defender wrote on social media that the messages were “some of the most racist comments I ever seen or read since i enter the league.”
He added in another post calling out the messages: “Racism is real.”
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) looks on before the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles on October 19th, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) looks on before the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles on October 19th, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
“That’s not even the worst I’ve seen,” he added. “Stay solid or stay silent.”
According to ESPN, the racist messages Rodgers said he received came after he was the main defensive player involved in two key Eagles offensive plays that helped Philadelphia defeat Rodgers and the Vikings. After the game, Rodgers took responsibility for the costly plays.
"I put it on me," the Tampa, Fla., native told reporters.
The Vikings released a statement in support of Rodgers after the team’s cornerback took to social media to call out the vile messages he received.
“We are disgusted by the racial slurs directed at Isaiah Rodgers following yesterday’s game,” the Vikings posted on social media. “As we have said previously, there simply is no room for racist words or actions in sports or society. We support Isaiah and all players who, unfortunately, experience this type of ignorant and prejudicial behavior far too often, and we ask our fans to continue to fight to eliminate racism.”
A fifth-year cornerback, Rodgers recently signed a two-year, $11 million deal with Minnesota during the offseason after spending the first part of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The hateful messages come after a celebratory week for Rodgers, who announced his engagement to his fiancée Genie Gabrielle on Oct. 12.