Rodgers Disputes Exes' Accounts on Podcast, Citing 'Horse Shit' Narratives

3 min read
Source: The Cut
Rodgers Disputes Exes' Accounts on Podcast, Citing 'Horse Shit' Narratives
Photo: The Cut
TL;DR

Aaron Rodgers used a recent podcast appearance to aggressively rebut public accounts of his past relationships with Shailene Woodley and Danica Patrick. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, entering what he calls his final NFL season, claimed on Cam Heyward’s 'Not Just Football' that both women distorted history to gain attention. He alleged Woodley told him she intended to sleep with another man days after accepting his proposal, while accusing Patrick of being depressed and unengaging during their 2018-2020 relationship. Rodgers dismissed their public statements as attempts to leverage his fame, contradicting previous interviews where both women described the relationships as emotionally damaging.

Key points

  • Rodgers appeared on Cam Heyward's podcast 'Not Just Football' on Thursday to address his past relationships.
  • He claimed Woodley told him she wanted to sleep with another man days after accepting his proposal in late 2020.
  • Rodgers stated Woodley removed her engagement ring by March 2021 and that there was no relationship to break up in 2022.
  • He described his relationship with Danica Patrick as lacking intimacy and noted she was depressed and 'not fun to be around.'
  • Rodgers accused both women of using his name to generate media attention and clicks.
  • The comments come as Rodgers prepares for what he describes as his final season in the NFL.

Background

This dispute follows earlier public statements from both former partners. In 2024, Woodley described their relationship as 'not right' but 'beautiful,' while referencing a traumatic event in early 2022 without explicitly naming Rodgers. Patrick previously labeled the relationship 'emotionally abusive' and said Rodgers left a 'trail of blood.' Rodgers is now married to Brittani, whom he claims he met in 2017. Woodley recently won an Emmy for her role in 'Paradise,' a fact Rodgers dismissed during his rant.

How outlets are covering it

The Cut frames Rodgers' comments as 'heinous' and notes that Woodley's public statements were polite and did not explicitly accuse him of ruining her life, contrasting this with his aggressive tone. Fox News emphasizes the 'he said, she said' nature of the breakup, highlighting Patrick's previous claims of emotional abuse against Rodgers' denial of those events. The sources generally agree on the timeline of the breakups but differ in their interpretation of Rodgers' intent, with The Cut viewing his remarks as an attack on his exes' credibility, while Fox News presents it as a clarification of disputed facts.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing public tension between high-profile celebrities and their former partners, particularly when one party uses media platforms to reshape the narrative. It also underscores the impact of social media and podcasting on how personal disputes are aired and perceived by the public, with Rodgers leveraging his platform to counter narratives he views as inaccurate.

What to watch

Rodgers is expected to continue his final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is no indication that Woodley or Patrick will respond publicly to his latest comments, but the dispute may continue to generate media attention. Rodgers' marriage to Brittani remains a private matter, with her identity still largely unknown to the public.

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