by Kerry Dougherty

One of two things is true about State Sen. Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach.

He’s either badly disabled and unable to work due to concussions and other injuries sustained during his three seasons as an NFL safety.

Or he’s a prevaricator.

Take your pick.

Either one casts doubts on his fitness to serve.

I’ve met Aaron Rouse. In fact,I interviewed and endorsed him for Virginia Beach City Council when he ran against the good ole boy Beach cronies back in 2018. He seemed fine to me. Charming, as a matter of fact.

He’s now in the General Assembly and last spring he lost in a crowded Democrat primary for lieutenant governor to Ghazala Hashmi. Clearly, Rouse has his eyes on the Governor’s Mansion. Every aspiring lieutenant governor does.

At the same time that this ambitious politician is serving in the state senate and planning a future in politics he’s suing the NFL for its most generous disability benefits, claiming he suffers from complete and total permanent disability due to injuries he sustained playing football for the Green Bay Packers and the Giants.

The Virginian-Pilot found this, in his complaint:

“The medical evidence from treating physicians, including Dr. Felix Kirven, Dr. Scott Sautter, and Dr. Alan Wagner, supported Rouse’s claim that he is totally and permanently disabled due to the cumulative effects of multiple concussions and other injuries sustained during his NFL career.”

Wait. What? Continue reading.