LOS ANGELES (KDKA) — Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald introduced his retirement on Friday.
On the social media platform X, previously often called Twitter, Donald made his announcement to step away from the sport.
“All through my profession, I’ve given my every thing to soccer each mentally and bodily – three hundred and sixty five days a yr was devoted to turning into the very best soccer participant I could possibly be,” he stated in his announcement.
The 32-year-old Donald spent his complete 10-year skilled profession with the Rams, beginning in St. Louis after which going to Los Angeles with the franchise when it moved.
He leaves the sport with an unassailable resume. He was a 10-time Professional Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Professional, three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months and 2014 Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. He additionally received the Tremendous Bowl with the Rams in 2021.
He completed his profession with 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss and 260 quarterback hits in 154 video games. He began 150 of these video games.
Donald, who owns the Rams’ profession sacks file, was greatness personified on the sphere.
“There’ll by no means be one other Aaron Donald,” Rams common supervisor Les Snead stated, in keeping with the crew’s web site.
Earlier than getting drafted, Donald was a standout at Penn Hills Excessive College within the Pittsburgh space and the College of Pittsburgh.
In 4 years with the Pitt Panthers, Donald recorded 115 solo tackles, 181 whole tackles and 29.5 sacks throughout 51 video games. That led him to be drafted thirteenth total within the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams.
“As I flip my focus to a brand new chapter, I do not know what the longer term holds however I’m excited in regards to the off-the-field potentialities,” Donald wrote on Friday. “I am wanting ahead to spending extra time with my spouse Erica, and my youngsters, Jaeda, AJ, Aaric, and Aali. The best reward was having the ability to play this sport with them by my facet and I can not wait to observe them reside out their goals simply as they watched me reside out mine.”
In accordance with ESPN, Donald and Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders are the one gamers within the historical past of the NFL to play not less than 10 seasons and get chosen to the Professional Bowl in every.
“He is an elite competitor, somebody who leads by instance in a manner that is genuine to him, and an distinctive teammate who conjures up everybody round him to be the very best model of themselves,” Rams coach Sean McVay stated, in keeping with the crew’s web site.
The sports activities world praised Donald after his announcement on Friday. LeBron James, former Ram Jalen Ramsey and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had been among the many many who reacted to the information.
“THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME @AaronDonald97,” Ramsey posted to social media. “DAMN IT WAS AN HONOR FR Completely happy Retirement.”
“Honored to have competed towards the very best of All-Time! @AaronDonald97,” Murray posted on social media. “Take pleasure in ya retirement and plz do not come again.”
In a publish on X, Pitt soccer congratulated Donald on a exceptional profession.
“Hail to YOU, @AaronDonald97,” the publish stated. “From Penn Hills to Pitt to @RamsNFL. To the Tremendous Bowl and Canton, quickly. From undersized DT to bigger than life. An inspirational hero on and off the sphere. Congrats on retirement, AD! “
Donald is formally eligible for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2029. He’ll most probably be a first-ballot choice.