NFL coach Vic Fangio mocked former US health official Anthony Fauci while opening a press conference with reporters, saying he would invoke the Fifth Amendment rather than answer questions. The remark linked a routine sports-media appearance to a contentious political dispute over Fauci’s role in the COVID-19 response.

Fangio’s comment followed Fauci’s appearance before a Senate committee, where he repeatedly invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination when questioned by Republican senators. Fauci said he was acting on legal advice amid concerns that his answers could expose him to further investigation, while critics argued that he should have answered the committee’s questions.