Danica Patrick Faces Aaron Rodgers' Blast Over Past

Danica Patrick is embroiled in a bitter public dispute with her famous ex, Aaron Rodgers, who launched a scathing attack on their past relationship during a recent podcast appearance. The retired NASCAR driver's personal life has become headline news again, coinciding with her recent recovery from an unexpected surgical procedure.

Aaron Rodgers Launches Scathing Attack on Ex

Rodgers, the 42 year old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, detonated years of silence on the September 10 episode of the "Not only Football" podcast hosted by teammate Cam Heyward. He directly addressed Patrick, 44, and another ex, actress Shailene Woodley, calling claims he was a "monster" partner "horse s--t." He questioned why they continued to discuss him years after their splits. "I dated two women who nobody gives a f--k about unless they drop my name," Rodgers said, dismissing their narratives. Regarding his relationship with the retired racer, which began around early 2018, he was brutally candid. "She was depressed and not fun to be around," Rodgers admitted, though he claimed he stayed to be a good partner. He described a relationship with "no intimacy" that was heading toward an end. Rodgers said Patrick was "totally blindsided" by their 2020 breakup, a characterization he strongly contested.

Patrick's Past Comments Fuel the Fire

Rodgers' comments appear to be a direct response to Patrick's own public reflections on their split. Last year, Patrick told interviewer Sage Steele that the breakup was the most painful experience of her life. She described the relationship as emotionally abusive, saying "he leaves a trail of blood." This stark contrast in their accounts has fueled the current very public and messy feud, putting Patrick's personal history back in the spotlight. The timeline shows their relationship spanned a difficult period for Patrick, who had just retired from full time racing in 2017. Rodgers noted she was struggling during that time.

Patrick Recovers from Unexpected Surgery

Amid the personal drama, Patrick has been dealing with a physical issue. Less than 24 hours after working as a commentator for IndyCar's Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., she underwent surgery. Patrick revealed on her Instagram story that doctors removed a "chunk of glass" from her left foot, an injury she had carried for over a year. "The propofol wasn't so bad," she wrote. She explained the fragment had recently become more painful, especially after dancing hard in Ibiza weeks prior, and her doctor said it was hitting the bone. Remarkably, Patrick managed to wear heels during her FOX broadcast appearance despite the injury. "I have no idea how I could walk in heels but I absolutely could not walk barefoot," she said.

Commentary Role Draws Mixed Reactions

Patrick's professional work also sparked conversation recently. While covering the Freedom 250 Grand Prix for FOX, she praised former President Donald Trump during the live national broadcast. This drew criticism from some IndyCar fans. The pushback did not seem to bother her. After the race, she celebrated the event on Instagram, calling it "a new great American race." She thanked several individuals, including Trump, for helping make the race happen for the nation's 250th anniversary, adding, "I hope it stays on the schedule." Patrick is expected to continue contributing to FOX's IndyCar coverage moving forward.

• Public Feud: Aaron Rodgers called ex Danica Patrick "depressed" and blasted her account of their breakup on a September 10 podcast.
• Medical Procedure: Patrick underwent surgery to remove glass from her foot after covering an IndyCar race in early September 2026.
• Career Focus: The retired NASCAR star continues her broadcasting role with FOX Sports, though her commentary sometimes draws fan criticism.