Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering these two athletes as his 2024 election running mates

CNN believes that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s entry into the 2024 United States presidential race could impact the final outcome. The independent candidate is the nephew of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy, and is thinking outside the box when it comes to selecting his running mates for the 2024 election.

Kennedy is casting a wide net to find someone to join him on the ticket this year. NBC News and others have reported that he is considering current New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura as vice president nominees.

According to the New York Times, Kennedy has already approached Rodgers to serve on the ticket, and the Jets passer has allegedly been open to the idea.

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The New York Times also reports that Kennedy has remained in “touch” with Ventura over the past month as well, where the two were seen together at Kennedy’s campaign event.

Ventura was a World Wrestling Entertainment star in the 1980s and 1990s, as his nickname “The Body” gave fans a preview of the impending pounding he levied on opponents.

Ventura was also an announcer for World Wrestling Entertainment from 1985-1990, and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, according to the WWE website.

Unlike Rodgers, Ventura has a plethora of experience in politics. He’s been mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and then became the governor of Minnesota in 1999, where he served a four-year term in that capacity.

Ventura’s candor has remained consistent over the years. He wrote a book in 2016 called S*** Politicians Say. The Atlantic summarizes the novel by pointing out Ventura’s lack of enthusiasm for the two-party system in America.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has planted his flag as a supporter of Robert F. Kennedy. CBS News has noted the shared skepticism Rodgers and Kennedy have over medical issues, including the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Kennedy likes what Rodgers brings to the table as a resilient presence. “Aaron Rodgers is battle tested, Kennedy told Fox News. “He’s been hammered by the press, he’s stood up for things he believes in and I like that part of his character. He is a critical thinker and I think we need that at this time.”

If Rodgers was selected as Kennedy’s running mate, it’s unclear as to how the campaign schedule would be compatible with the former’s preparation for the NFL season. Rodgers is coming back from an Achilles injury he suffered during Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

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Rodgers’ Jets teammate Sauce Gardner had a jovial response to the story. Gardner posted on X “Ohhhh, Aaron bouta become the VP. That’s why he ain’t been answering my text messages.”

As Ventura’s career illustrates, professional athletes have sometimes successfully delved into the world of politics.

According to Football Reference, Runyan played 14 seasons in the NFL for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers, the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Diego Chargers as an offensive tackle. He’s also been a two-term member of Congress.

According to Basketball Reference, Bradley had a 10-year NBA career with the New York Knicks, where he won two NBA titles. Bradley was also a United States senator, representing New Jersey for three teams spanning from 1979 through 1997.

According to Basketball Reference, Johnson played 12 years in the NBA, most notably for the Phoenix Suns. He spent eight years as the mayor of Sacramento, and was involved in pushing for the Sacramento Kings to get a new arena, according to Sports Illustrated.

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