Aaron Donald has announced his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams.
Aaron Donald, renowned for his prowess in flattening quarterbacks and disrupting offenses, has announced his retirement after a remarkable 10-year career. He played a crucial role in leading the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl victory and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history. While his departure leaves a void in the sport, his impressive legacy will endure in the annals of football history.
Aaron Donald, a three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has announced his retirement via social media, surprising many. Instead of a traditional farewell, he’s opted for a quieter exit. Nonetheless, Donald’s impact on both the Rams and the NFL is unmistakable.
Donald, aged 32, spent his entire career with the Rams since they drafted him in the first round in 2014 from the University of Pittsburgh. Hailing from Pittsburgh himself, he earned an impressive 10 Pro Bowl selections and was named to eight All-Pro first teams. Moreover, he clinched the coveted title of the league’s top defensive player in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
“In my career, I’ve dedicated myself completely to football, both mentally and physically. Every day, all year long, I’ve strived to be the best player I could be,” Donald expressed. “I’ve had immense respect for the game, and I feel blessed to finish my NFL journey with the same team that drafted me. Not many players have the opportunity to be drafted by a team, win a championship with them, and retire with them. I appreciate this privilege deeply.”
Despite his smaller stature compared to other top defensive tackles, Aaron Donald made a big impact on the game. Using his exceptional athleticism and sharp game intelligence, he consistently disrupted opposing offenses throughout his career. As the cornerstone of the Rams’ defense, he often faced double-teams from opponents but still managed to accumulate an impressive 111 sacks, setting a franchise record and ranking third among all current NFL players.
After earning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year title in 2014, Aaron Donald rose to prominence when the Rams relocated to Los Angeles in 2016. His standout season came in 2018, recording a career-high 20 1/2 sacks and guiding the Rams to their inaugural Super Bowl appearance under coach Sean McVay.
He played a crucial role in the Rams’ journey to winning the Super Bowl three years later. A standout moment was when he applied pressure on Joe Burrow, leading to an incomplete pass on the Bengals’ final play in the Rams’ 23-20 victory in Super Bowl 56.
Following that pivotal play, Donald contributed another memorable moment during the Rams’ championship season. He removed his helmet, pointed to his ring finger, and exclaimed, “Ring me!” Later, during the victory parade in Los Angeles, he joyously rode shirtless atop a double-decker bus, creating an iconic image for Rams supporters.
Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt are the only other players to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three times. Among defensive tackles, only John Randle has more sacks than Donald since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Despite living a low-key life with his wife and four children, Donald’s exceptional talent and Coach McVay’s leadership have been instrumental in the Rams’ success since returning to Los Angeles. With McVay, the Rams have achieved six winning seasons, clinched five playoff berths, secured three NFC West titles, made two Super Bowl appearances, and earned a championship ring. Their accomplishments have earned them the admiration of many fans in LA.
Donald was set to earn more than $34 million this season following a contract renegotiation nearly two years ago. Despite rumors of retirement circulating over the past two seasons, neither the Rams nor Donald had publicly acknowledged the possibility of his departure.
Donald’s dedication to offseason training stemmed from his father’s influence, who helped him transition from being a laid-back kid to a formidable player. He often trained at Pitt’s Aaron Donald Football Performance Center, a facility he funded through a substantial donation.
Throughout his career, Donald amassed impressive statistics, rarely missing games due to injury and consistently making impactful plays, even in the postseason.
Teammates admired Donald’s work ethic and talent, describing him as both a great person and player.
Now, only Rob Havenstein remains from the Rams’ St. Louis era, still playing as the team’s starting right tackle.