Former NFL Player Aaron Donald Retires from the Game
Los Angeles: When asked about his retirement, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said it on Friday. Donald made his declaration about leaving the game on the social media network X, which was previously known as Twitter.
“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football, both mentally and physically—365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best football player I could be,” he stated in his press release.
Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love. 🍾🙏🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/edGxkUYdLz
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 15, 2024
The 32-year-old Donald was a member of the Los Angeles Rams for his whole 10-year professional career, beginning in St. Louis and continuing through the franchise’s relocation to Los Angeles.
His record is unbeatable, and he’s out of the game. Not only that, he made it to the Pro Bowl ten times, was named to the first team All-Pro eight times, won defensive MVP three times, and was named Rookie of the Year in 2014. Along with the 2021 Rams, he was a Super Bowl champion.
By the end of his 154-game career, he had accumulated 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 TFL, and 260 quarterback hits. Out of the 150 games, he started one.
In Super Bowl LVI, Donald smothered Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, forcing the final incompletion and clinching Los Angeles’ triumph with a score of 23-20. Donald guided the Rams to two Super Bowls.
Donald had a prominent part in the NFL’s “100-Year Game” commercial, which reflected his illustrious career.
Donald attended Pitt in 2010 after starring at Penn Hills High School in Western Pennsylvania, where he was named to the first team All-State Class AAAA twice. He had an early impact for the Panthers and went on to record an incredible 66 tackles for loss over the course of four seasons. This was the most by an FBS interior defensive lineman (and the fourth overall) since the NCAA started keeping track of that statistic in 2000.
Donald was unbeatable in 2013 as a senior. Along with 28.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and a blocked extra point, he was the national leader. Among Pitt’s most distinguished athletes, Donald was named to the first-team All-American team at the conclusion of the season in addition to winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and the Rotary Lombardi Award.
The “Aaron Donald Football Performance Center” is the new name of Pitt’s practice facility on the ground floor of the Duratz Athletic Complex. In a seven-figure gift to the Pitt Football Championship Fund, Donald was honored for his support of the program in crucial areas like facility development, recruiting, technology, and student-athlete development, among others. The football program at Pitt received its greatest ever donation from a letterman.
“It was a dream come true to play for the University of Pittsburgh,” he added. “My experience as a Panther is something that influences my life every day, and I want to pay that forward.” Pitt is and will be my alma mater, and I consider it a privilege to be able to cheer for the Tar Heels.
Following his statement on Friday, Donald received high acclaim from the sports world. The announcement was met with numerous reactions, including those of LeBron James, former Ram Jalen Ramsey, and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
“Aaron Donald is the greatest of all time,” Ramsey wrote on social media. “DAMN, IT WAS AN HONOR FR Happy Retirement.”
Embrace the opportunity to have battled against the greatest of all time! @AaronDonald97,” Murray shared on social media. “Enjoy your retirement, and please don’t come back.”
Donald received congratulations from Pitt football on his outstanding career in a post on X.
