Danica Patrick: ‘Emotionally abusive' Aaron Rodgers relationship ‘wore me down to nothing'
Danica Patrick said the most painful thing she's ever experienced was her breakup with Aaron Rodgers in 2020.
During an appearance on 'The Sage Steele Show,' the former NASCAR driver said their 'emotionally abusive' relationship 'wore me down to nothing.'
'The breakup with Aaron in 2020, because it was sudden,' Patrick said when asked about her most painful experience. 'It felt like it was my life. So when you live with somebody, it's your whole life… And because the nature of the relationship was emotionally abusive, so that wore me down to nothing.
4 Danica Patrick said the most painful thing she's ever experienced was her breakup with Aaron Rodgers in 2020 during an appearance on 'The Sage Steele Show' on May 21, 2025.
YouTube/The Sage Steele Show
'Someone that you know, people could never imagine that I would lack any confidence, or belief in the simple things about who I am. Everything was torn to bits. He leaves a trail of blood. I don't think I'm saying too much earth-shattering stuff after we — there's been enough out there.
'But it gave me the greatest gift, which is myself. It gave me the greatest gift of how much I needed to show up for myself and take care of myself.'
4 Danica Patrick stands with Aaron Rodgers on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Getty Images
Rodgers and Patrick called it quits in July 2020 after dating for two years.
Patrick, who said she has no shame or regret, explained that she was lonely during their relationship because 'I was furthest from myself.'
The former Jets quarterback, who said he's focusing on his personal life as he contemplates his playing future, went on to date actress Shailene Woodley, whom he met sometime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4 Danica Patrick kisses Aaron Rodgers on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
AP
They announced their engagement in February 2021, with the two reportedly calling it quits in April 2022.
Rodgers, who revealed last December that he is in a relationship with a woman named Brittani, was recently spotted wearing what appeared to be a wedding band on his left ring finger.
4 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is shown after he led Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins, on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Patrick appeared to reveal her boyfriend in a photo of the pair kissing at the Burning Man festival in September.
Patrick and Carter Comstock dated for nearly a year before splitting in March 2022.
Patrick and NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. dated from 2012 to 2017.
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