Rams superstar Aaron Donald announces retirement
After 10 NFL seasons, Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement Friday.
Donald steps away from the game after putting together a first-ballot Hall of Fame career, all spent with the Rams. He racked up numerous accolades, including three Defensive Player of the Year awards. As well as that, he earned eight First-Team All-Pro nods, and 10 Pro Bowl selections.
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“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically — 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be,” Donald said on social media. “I respected this game like no other and I’m blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me. Not many people get drafted to a team, win a World Championship with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted.”
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Donald earned the recognition as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. He is one of three players, alongside Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt, to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three times. His 111 career sacks are also the second-most among primary defensive tackles.
The 32-year-old holds the Rams’ all-time mark for career sacks while he and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders are the only players to play 10 seasons and get selected for the Pro Bowl in each campaign.
He steps away from the game still performing at an elite level. His absence leaves the Rams with the massive task of trying to fill the gaping void he’s left on the franchise on and off the field.
