Jodie Foster addresses rumor she set-up costar Shailene Woodley with now-fiance Aaron Rodgers

Jodie Foster thanked Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the Golden Globes, fulfilling a promise the actress had made before she won.

Later on Sunday night however, Foster, 58, clarified that she did not introduce Rodgers to actress Shailene Woodley, who recently confirmed her engagement to the NFL’s MVP.

Foster won for supporting actress in a motion picture for The Mauritanian, in which she co-stars with Woodley. 

Rumors have swirled since Rodgers revealed the surprise engagement news last month, with fans thinking that Foster must have set-up the couple because the NFL star mentioned the actress in his announcement.

Foster said it wasn’t the case and she’s simply a huge fan of Rodgers.

‘She’s the best,’ Foster said of Woodley in virtual comments backstage. ‘I did not set up Shailene and Aaron, I have never met Aaron Rodgers. 

‘But it is possible that I do like to talk about how much I love the Green Bay Packers and sometimes I can talk a little bit too much about that so, of course, Shailene was very aware of my enthusiasm for the team.’  

Foster explained in the press room that her relationship with Rodgers is solely based on her love for the Wisconsin team and joked that she and Rodgers are now in ‘competition’ over who is the real MVP.

‘I just got a very cute video from Aaron Rodgers where he says he’s going to get me back,’ Foster told reporters, ‘so I’m looking forward to this. We’ll see who wins.’

When her name was announced on Sunday, Foster exclaimed, ‘Oh, my God, are you kidding me? 

‘I think you made a mistake. I’m a little speechless. I just never expected to ever be here again and wow. I have to thank all of my amazing filmmakers, Kevin Macdonald and the real-life people. … And Aaron Rodgers! This is awesome.’

The public back-and-forth between Oscar winner Foster and Rodgers began in early February, when he thanked Foster after being named MVP at the NFL Honors show.

Rodgers casually dropped in the news that he was engaged during his acceptance speech.

‘2020 was definitely a crazy year filled with lots of change, growth, some amazing, memorable moments, 180 straight days of having my nose hair scraped, playing for very little fans or no stands the entire season,’ the California native said on February 6. 

‘I got engaged, and I played some of the best football in my career. So I’d like to thank, first and foremost, my teammates for their support, their inspiration, protection, incredible play on the field … off the field I’ve got a great group of people that support me, so I’d like to thank my team.’

The athlete went on to name a lengthy list of loved ones, including his ‘fiancée’ and Foster. 

Fans assumed that because Woodley starred with Foster in The Mauritanian, that the actress must have been responsible for introducing them.

But shortly after, Foster admitted she had never met Rodgers. Asked by Jimmy Kimmel on February 18, Foster replied, ‘No! He just knows I’m his biggest fan.’ 

Foster went on to say that she would ‘absolutely’ thank the quarterback if she won a Golden Globe. ‘I may have to thank the whole team, maybe,’ she told Kimmel, 53.

Before Sunday night’s win, Foster took an honorary award at the 2012 ceremony and scooped a Best Actress prize in 1992.

The Mauritanian tells the true story of Mohamedou Ould Salahi, who was wrongly held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp without charge or trial for 14 years.