Aaron Donald announces retirement from the NFL after 10 years
Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald, viewed as one of the best defenders ever to play in the NFL, announced his retirement, Friday.
He shared on X “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.”
Aaron Donald, 32, also added these thoughts:
“For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level. I’m thankful for the people I’ve met along the way, the friendships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.”
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Donald was an undersized, but dominating defensive tackle. He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times. And he made the Pro Bowl in each of his ten seasons, all spent with the Rams. In eight of those seasons, including last year, Donald was an All-Pro. To put his Pro Bowl stint into perspective, the only other player in league history to do so was Barry Sanders.
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Although the announcement seemed shocking, Aaron Donald has hinted before that he was leaving the game. The speculation started after the Rams won the Super Bowl two years ago in front of the home crowd at SoFi Stadium. He dazzled in that game, sacking Joe Burrow twice, then hurrying him into an incompletion on the Bengals final offensive snap.
LA Rams coach lauded his star.
“The great players in our league elevate the people around them and Aaron has modeled the way for our team as long as I’ve been with the Rams,” McVay said. “He’s an elite competitor, someone who leads by example in a way that’s authentic to him, and an exceptional teammate who inspires everyone around him to be the best version of themselves.
McVay continued “As great of a player he is, he’s an even better person. He is truly one of one and epitomizes everything that’s right about sports. I will forever cherish the memories we’ve made and will always be grateful for how he poured everything into this game and into our team. He’s meant a lot to me personally and to my family.”