Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has officially retired from active duties as an NFL player. Donald leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest players the NFL has ever seen.
Donald was selected 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. Jadaveon Clowney was taken first overall by the Houston Texans that year. Clowney’s career is minuscule in comparison to that of Donald’s. The only player selected ahead of Donald to have had enough impact to be mentioned in the same breath is Odell Beckham Jr., who was selected fifth overall.
Donald was the steal of the draft to say the least.
The news as of Donald’s retirement comes as somewhat of a shock as previous reports indicated the former defensive lineman was working on a contract extension with the Rams. The 32-year-old called it quits after just ten seasons. Donald was no longer in his prime but was playing at a high enough level to still be considered one of the premier players in the league at his position.
Donald will without a shadow of a doubt be inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame on the first ballot. The former Ram is one of only three players to win Defensive Player of The Year on three separate occasions. Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt are the only others to accomplish the feat. Donald, along with Barry Sanders, are the only players to have been named to the Pro Bowl for each of their ten seasons in the league. Taylor and Donald are the only two defensive players since the 1970 NFL Merger to be named to the Pro-Bowl in their first ten seasons. Taylor played 13 years but failed to make the Pro-Bowl during his final three years.
In ten years, Donald was named First Team All-Pro eight times. Donald entered the league in dominant fashion, winning Defensive Rookie of The Year and Defensive Player of The Year in the same season. The 111 sacks Donald finished his career with ranks second all-time amongst primary defensive tackles.
Donald most certainly ranks up with some of the greatest to ever grace the NFL gridiron. Names such as Taylor, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis, Bruce Smith, Ronnie Lott and Deion Sanders come to mind when comparing the affect Donald had on the game. The combination of strength, speed and quickness Donald brought to the field was unmatched during his career.
“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 Twitter. “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 Super Bowl with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted.”
Donald definitely had something left in the tank. He recorded eight sacks, 28 solo tackles and made contact with the quarter back 23 times in 2023. He appears to be at peace with the game and what he’s accomplished. Taylor, who is widely considered the greatest defender in league history, retired in a similar fashion. Taylor called it quits after just 13 seasons at the age of 34. Had he decided to continue playing, Donald would have certainly crept up the NFL’s record books in defensive statistics. Donald was always in shape and ready to play. Off the field antics never got in the way of production as it does with some athletes.
Following the 1994 season, the then Los Angeles Rams moved to St Louis. The Rams made St. Louis their home until 2015. Owner Stan Kroenke moved the Rams back to Los Angeles for a second tango with Hollywood. During their first stint in Los Angeles, the Rams shared the city with the Raiders. This time they’d have to share the big city spotlight with the Chargers ,who made the move from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017. Having a player the magnitude of Donald certainly aided in the smooth transition to the nation’s second largest media market. In 2021, the Rams knocked off the Cincinnatti Bengals in Super Bowl LVI bringing the first NFL Championship to the city since 1984. Doing so in front of their home crown with the entire world watching made it all the better. Donald helped the Rams solidify themselves as the number one football franchise in Los Angeles.
Having won a Super Bowl and etching his name in the NFL record books, there wasn’t much left for Donald to accomplish. The aforementioned leaves the game as a champion and highly respected teammate.
Donald retires as one of the greatest players in NFL history, healthy, wealthy and a role model for how the game should be played on and off the field.
