Rams’ Aaron Donald Announces Decision on NFL Retirement
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.
“Cheers to what’s next,” Donald wrote on social media. “Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love.”
Donald was a first-round pick by the Rams and spent 10 seasons with the organization, making 10 Pro Bowls and earning eight first-team All-Pro selections. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and won three Defensive Player of the Year awards during his career.
Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love. ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/edGxkUYdLz
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 15, 2024
In his announcement, Donald thanked his family, along with the Rams organization and the cities of St. Louis and Los Angeles for welcoming him into their family.
“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,” he said in the statement. “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.”
The Rams also thanked Donald for all his contributions to the team over the past decade with multiple social media posts.
The best to ever do it. pic.twitter.com/nY7VYmgrM7
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2024
The G.O.A.T. ???? pic.twitter.com/Tu90oSajFC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2024
1 of 1.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2024
Thank you, @AaronDonald97. pic.twitter.com/BezqGvCGjj
The 32-year-old ends his career with 543 total tackles and 111 sacks, along with one Super Bowl title at the end of the 2021 season. He will be eligible to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029.