PITTSBURGH—Extensively considered one of many biggest gamers of not solely his technology however within the historical past of the Nationwide Soccer League, Pitt’s Aaron Donald has known as it a profession.
The previous Pitt star introduced his retirement on Friday, concluding one of the vital adorned and dominant careers the sport has ever witnessed.
Chosen by the Rams within the first spherical of the 2014 NFL Draft (13th total), Donald greater than delivered on the lofty expectations positioned on a high draft selection. Over 10 skilled seasons, he turned one among solely three gamers in league historical past to earn three NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months awards. Donald was one among solely six unanimous picks for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Workforce.
Regardless of going through an array of blocking schemes—some authorized and a few that employed good old style holding—he compiled an astounding 111 sacks. He had no less than eight sacks in 8 of his 10 NFL seasons.
Donald led the Rams to 2 Tremendous Bowls and clinched his workforce’s victory in Tremendous Bowl LVI when he smothered Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, forcing the ultimate incompletion in a 23-20 Los Angeles victory.
Reflecting his lofty NFL standing, Donald performed a memorable function within the league’s “The 100-12 months Sport” industrial.
A Western Pennsylvania native, Donald starred at Penn Hills Excessive College, twice incomes first workforce All-State Class AAAA, earlier than matriculating to Pitt in 2010. He was a right away contributor for the Panthers and over the following 4 seasons compiled a tremendous 66 tackles for loss, probably the most by an FBS inside defensive lineman (and fourth no matter place) since 2000 when the NCAA started monitoring that statistic.
As a senior in 2013, Donald was an unstoppable power. He led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, 4 compelled fumbles and a blocked additional level. At season’s finish, Donald was named a unanimous first workforce All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the vital adorned gamers in Pitt historical past.
The bottom flooring of Pitt’s Duratz Athletic Advanced observe facility was renamed the “Aaron Donald Soccer Efficiency Heart” in 2019. The popularity got here after Donald made a seven-figure monetary dedication to the Pitt Soccer Championship Fund, which serves this system in such key areas as facility enchancment, recruiting, expertise and student-athlete growth. It marked the biggest donation ever by a Pitt soccer letterman to this system.
“It was a dream come true to play for the College of Pittsburgh,” mentioned Donald. “My expertise as a Panther is one thing that influences my life day by day and I wish to pay that ahead.
“Pitt will all the time be my faculty and I am honored to have the ability to help the Blue and Gold.”
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