Aaron Donald announces retirement at age 32

Aaron Donald, one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history, shocked the sports world today by announcing his retirement at the age of 32. The news came as a surprise to fans and analysts alike, as Donald was still performing at an elite level and had many years of football left in him.

Throughout his career, Donald was known for his incredible strength, speed, and tenacity on the field. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. His impact on the game was undeniable, as he consistently disrupted opposing offenses and changed the course of games with his playmaking ability.

Selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft (13th overall), Donald more than delivered on the lofty expectations placed on a top draft choice. Over 10 professional seasons, he became one of only three players in league history to earn three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Donald was one of only six unanimous picks for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

Despite facing an array of blocking schemes—some legal and some that employed good old-fashioned holding—he compiled an astounding 111 sacks. He had at least eight sacks in 8 of his 10 NFL seasons.

The 32-year-old Donald spent his entire career with the Rams, who drafted him in the first round in 2014 out of Pitt. The Pittsburgh native was selected for 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro first teams, and he won the award as the league’s top defensive player in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Before getting drafted, Donald was a standout at Penn Hills High School in the Pittsburgh area and the University of Pittsburgh. 

In four years with the Pitt Panthers, Donald recorded 115 solo tackles, 181 total tackles and 29.5 sacks across 51 games. That led him to be drafted 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams. 

One of only three players in league history to earn three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Super Bowl LVI champion leaves the game after registering 111 sacks in 10 seasons. He recorded at least eight sacks in 8 of his 10 seasons, and was one of six unanimous choices for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

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Sarah H

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