The Real Reason Aaron Rodgers And Danica Patrick Broke Up
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and retired NASCAR driver Danica Patrick broke up in July 2020, Patrick's rep confirmed to Us Weekly. The news came two years after the couple started dating, and on the heels of Patrick teasing a potential engagement to Rodgers. "You can't be attached to something going a certain way because if you really want something to happen there's that equal energy of being afraid that it's not going to happen, so you just have to let it go and be like, 'Well, am I having fun today? Yep, then life's good,'" the Wisconsin native joked during a November 2019 appearance on Jenny McCarthy's SiriusXM radio show. She added, "I'll probably get proposed to tomorrow now."
As for Rodgers, he was as equally as smitten with Patrick. "We're just two people who enjoy being around each other and love each other," he told Artful Living. "We're really into each other. So there are going to be [social media] posts with each other because we enjoy each other's company a lot. We're really attracted to each other."
So what went wrong in the sporty duo's relationship? Here are our theories about why Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick split.
Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick's breakup was surprising
Interestingly enough, Danica Patrick had nothing but incredible things to say about Aaron Rodgers just four months before their breakup. In response to a fan on Instagram who asked what it's like to date the football pro, she replied, per People, "If you like a partner who is extremely attractive, super intelligent, very thoughtful, patient (lord knows I can be stubborn), loves to travel, is open minded, is into growing in this life, and can ball. Ya, it's pretty amazing."
The two also visited Machu Picchu in March 2020, with the race car driver stating in an Instagram post that she "can't wait to travel again."
We're not judging here, but isn't it a tad odd that things went from "amazing" to splitsville in a short timeframe? And isn't curious that Patrick unfollowed Rodgers on Instagram? That seems to suggest the two don't plan on staying friends, although they could reconnect when the split isn't as fresh.
Bottom line? It appears whatever went down happened somewhat suddenly. Hmm.
Dating in the public eye can be tough
Remember when Aaron Rodgers dated actor Olivia Munn for three years from 2014 to 2017? Rodgers was private throughout their romance, which makes sense when you consider his feelings on dating as a famous person. "When you are living out a relationship in the public eye, it's definitely ... it's difficult," he told the now-defunct ESPN The Magazine in August 2017. "It has some extra constraints, because you have other opinions about your relationship, how it affects your work and, you know, just some inappropriate connections."
So did fan input possibly play a role in Rodgers' breakup? The answer is maybe, although, in that same interview, the athlete seemed to have made peace with dating in the public eye. "I do have a desire to be myself and not have to feel like I've got to be so private," he continued. "I think, because I live in a fishbowl, you either kind of internalize everything or you just relax and let life be."
Rodgers shared a few snaps of Danica Patrick to his Instagram account during their relationship, so it appears he did adopt this "live or let live" philosophy.
Who gets the mansion in Malibu?
One big question we have surrounding the breakup concerns which party will get the Malibu, Calif., mansion Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick purchased in November 2019. The couple plunked down $28 million to enjoy the three-story and 4,636 square foot abode, complete with a "large sparkling pool," "breathtaking ocean view, which is enhanced by a giant wall of disappearing pocket doors," and a "two-bed guesthouse and garage," Variety reported.
The location sounds like the perfect spot to propose, but the pair's relationship never reached this point (at least that we know of). And it seems like many were rooting for an engagement to happen, as evidenced by Green Bay Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith telling TMZ Sports in February 2020 that Rodgers should "put a ring on it."
Of course, Patrick could have "put a ring on it," too. But maybe the public pressure to get hitched hampered the relationship, which would be understandable.
Either way, at least one of them gets to find comfort in the incredibly luxurious pad. Color us jealous.
How fans reacted to the breakup
Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodger's breakup definitely sparked a wide range of reactions, especially from football fans. The general consensus seems to be that Rodgers will play a better NFL season without a relationship to distract him, as one person tweeted, "Sounds like a Super Bowl season to me then." Another person added, "He's going to have [h]is best season yet now." "Good! He plays better when he is single!" a fan argued.
However, others were more sympathetic to the exes. "I'm sorry to hear that, I thought they were cute together," a fan said. Someone else wrote, "This is sad I really wanted Aaron and Danica to go forever they seemed so good together."
It remains to be seen whether Rodgers will fare in the 2020 NFL season, although it's clear fans have a lot of opinions about this breakup. Whose side are you on?