Aaron Donald Announces Retirement from the NFL
With his shocking announcement of his NFL retirement on Friday, defensive tackle Aaron Donald of the Rams stunned the football community. With this move, one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the team and league comes to a close. On social media, three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Donald revealed the unexpected news.
A Legendary Career
After being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Aaron Donald played his whole career with the Rams and has a remarkable history. He was chosen for eight All-Pro First Teams and ten Pro Bowls. Donald was named the league’s best defensive player in 2017, 2018, and 2020 thanks to his extraordinary talent and skill.
Throughout his career, Donald terrorized opposing offenses with his exceptional quickness and game awareness, even though he was smaller than many of the best defensive tackles. He was the mainstay of every Rams defense, consistently getting double-teamed despite setting a franchise record with 111 sacks, third most among active players.
A Star in Los Angeles
It was not until the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016 from St. Louis that Aaron Donald’s fame reached the heights. Achieving his first Super Bowl participation in 2018, he had a career-high 20 1/2 sack total. Three years later, Donald was instrumental in leading the Rams to a Super Bowl triumph. He applied pressure that on the final play of the Bengals’ 23-20 victory, forced Joe Burrow of Cincinnati to throw an incomplete pass near midfield.
Aaron Donald has become a member of a select club of athletes, along with J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor, after winning the Defensive Player of the Year award three times. His place among the NFL’s finest defensive players is further cemented by this achievement.
The Retirement Decision
Although rumors have it that Donald had been thinking about retiring in private for the previous two seasons, neither the Rams nor Donald made the move official. The parameters of a contract that was renegotiated over two years ago called for the 32-year-old defensive tackle to make over $34 million this season.
For the Rams and the NFL, Aaron Donald’s retirement signals the end of an era. It is impossible to exaggerate his influence on the game and his team. This renowned defensive tackle will surely leave a lasting legacy as supporters and teammates say them farewell.