Aaron Donald: Los Angeles Rams defensive star announces retirement with immediate effect

One of the best defensive players in the NFL, Aaron Donald, has announced his immediate retirement.

The defensive tackle, who will turn 33 in May, played in the NFL for ten seasons, all with the Los Angeles Rams.

He is one of three men to have won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, and he assisted them in winning the Super Bowl in 2022.

He remarked, “Cheers to what’s next,” on X., an external “Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support.”

Although Donald had made vague remarks about retiring during the 2022 Super Bowl run before joining the Rams again, his revelation on Friday was unexpected.

The free agency period is now in effect for NFL teams. and are starting to assemble their rosters for the September 2024 season.

Before the team moved to Los Angeles, Donald played two seasons with the Rams in St. Louis, when he was selected by the team with the 13th overall choice in the 2014 draft. During that time, he was awarded the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In 2019, they made it to the Super Bowl, where they were defeated 13-3 by the New England Patriots. However, Donald could now add a Super Bowl ring to his collection of achievements, when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in their home stadium in Los Angeles.

“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,” he stated.

“I’m grateful to be able to wrap up this game, which I respected more than any other.” my NFL career with the team that selected me in the draft. Few people are drafted by a team, play for that team until they retire, and win a world title. I refuse to take that for granted, and I never will.”

With two of those sacks coming in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory, Donald finishes his career with 117 total. He was chosen eight times for the All-Pro team and became the fastest defensive tackle in NFL history to earn 100 sacks.

Owner of the Rams and Premier League team Arsenal, Stanley Kroenke, stated: “We are incredibly appreciative of Aaron’s commitment to excellence and his ten years of leadership over our team both on and off the field. He has influenced football fans of many generations.”

Les Snead, the general manager declared emphatically, “There will never be another Aaron Donald,” and head coach Sean McVay continued, “He’s a fantastic teammate who motivates everyone around him to reach their full potential.”

“Despite being a fantastic footballer, he’s an even greater guy. He is the embodiment of all that is admirable about athletics.”