Danica Patrick is the most famous female driver in the history of both NASCAR and IndyCar
racing.
Aaron Rodgers is a Super Bowl winning superstar NFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
So the news that the two of them have come together to form the ultimate power couple
sent shockwaves through the sports world.
How did it happen?
Here's a look at the truth about Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers' relationship.
Chance encounter
Though the worlds of NASCAR and professional football don't often intersect, as two of
the biggest celebrities in the sports world, it was almost inevitable that Patrick and
Rodgers would eventually meet.
But it wasn't exactly love at first sight when the two first met at the ESPY's, ESPN's
annual awards show, in 2012.
That's because Patrick was actually happily married at the time.
It wouldn't be until much later - and after many turns in life's winding road - before
Patrick and Rodgers would reconnect romantically.
Life in the fast lane
Patrick married Paul Hospenthal, a personal trainer and physical therapist some 17 years
her senior, back in 2005.
The couple met in Hospenthal's physical therapy office where Patrick sought treatment for
a hip injury, and according to People, the couple enjoyed spending time with their miniature
schnauzer Billy.
That came to a surprising end just four months after the 2012 ESPY's, with Patrick releasing
a statement on her Facebook page that read in part,
"I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our
marriage.
This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this.
[…] He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain
moving forward."
Three weeks after her divorce was finalized in 2013, Patrick revealed that she had a new
boyfriend.
But it wasn't Aaron Rodgers - it was fellow NASCAR driver Richard Stenhouse, Jr.
Competing against your significant other would seem to have its challenges, but Patrick insisted
it wouldn't be a problem.
"I always say I'll race people how they race me until they do something to make me change
my mind.
I don't anticipate that changing at all, or us having any issues on the track."
After nearly five years of dating, though, the couple officially called it quits at the
end of 2017.
Calling an audible
Though Rodgers has mostly kept his personal life private, his relationship with actress
Olivia Munn proved to be a major exception to the rule, as Munn spoke publicly about
their romance on numerous occasions.
"When I met him, I um, I said, 'So what do you do?' and he's like, 'Oh I play football.'
And I go 'Cool, what college?'
And he's like, 'Oh no, I play professional.'"
"Now, are you and Aaron Rodgers engaged?"
"No, we are not engaged at all."
"What is he waiting for?
He must think he's pretty special if he's gonna do better than this!"
All the media attention took its toll on their relationship, as fans found Munn to be an
easy scapegoat every time Rodgers struggled on the field.
Finally, after nearly three years of dating, the pair broke up in 2017.
Rodgers told ESPN the media spotlight was a factor.
"When you are living out a relationship in the public eye, it's definitely… it's difficult.
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."
Together at last!
In January, 2018, just one month after ending her relationship with Stenhouse, TMZ posted
a photo of Patrick dining al fresco with Rodgers, along with a few other people, at Mission
Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona.
She didn't drag it out, quickly confirming to the Associated Press that she and Rodgers
are indeed dating.
There's just one major problem: Patrick is a lifelong fan of the Packers' biggest rival,
the Chicago Bears!
Though she was born in Wisconsin, she grew up in Illinois.
But she told the Associated Press it wouldn't be a problem.
"I told him a long time ago I'd always root for him as a player.
Now I am probably going to cheer for the whole team.
[…] Take out the word 'probably.'
Now I'm going to cheer for the whole team."
What could be next for Patrick and Rodgers?
After the competition of the 2018 Indy 500, Patrick plans to retire at 35 years old to
focus on her wine and clothing brands, ESPN Women reported.
"Retirement looks bright.
I think many people retire and don't know what they're going to do next and have to
figure it out, but I know what I'm going to do."
Rodgers, meanwhile, has claimed he's "on the back nine" of his career.
So could the two be planning to settle down?
For her part, Patrick told E! news,
"I do [want to start a family], I don't know if it's in my future but it'd be something
I think I'd really like to have."
Whatever the future holds, we wish the happy couple the best of luck!
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