After a decade of competing in the NFL, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced that he is retiring.
Donald, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams after the 2021 season, spent his 10-year career with the Rams. The first two years were spent in St. Louis before the team relocated to L.A. in 2016. Donald, 32, was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest defensive players to play in the NFL.
"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 in a post on X. "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 World Championship with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted."
The defensive star's announcement made waves across social media as NFL stars and professional athletes from other sports reacted to the big news, including Jalen Ramsey, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
FACTS!!! Congratulations 9️⃣9️⃣!! Was an absolute pleasure to watch you dominate! 🫡 CHAMP https://t.co/x6kKPKtLml
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 15, 2024
Thankful to have been able to watch, learn from, and play alongside one of the best to ever do it. Appreciate you @AaronDonald97!
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) March 15, 2024
Feel sorry for whoever has to line up across from you, in whatever it is you want to do next!
One of the greatest to ever play the game.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 15, 2024
Period.
Congratulations @AaronDonald97
One hell of a career.
Enjoy your retirement 99. The work u put in on that gridiron is unmatched.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 15, 2024
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME @AaronDonald97 🐐 ! DAMN IT WAS AN HONOR FR 😞🤟🏾
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 15, 2024
Happy Retirement pic.twitter.com/WuE3ClupcA
Honored to have competed against the best of All-Time! @AaronDonald97
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 15, 2024
Enjoy ya retirement and plz don't come back.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/DcVhCMw0vv
Damn the amount of respect I have for @AaronDonald97 Brother you did it all and every d tackle is measured against your success. Job well done! Enjoy retirement!
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) March 15, 2024
One of the best do ever play the position! Congrats on an amazing career bro! https://t.co/qtAVTNeRER
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 15, 2024
THE GOATTTTTTT!!! https://t.co/oPGtGunGrK
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) March 15, 2024
Amazing career... one of the best to ever do it!! Much respect ✊🏽 https://t.co/KmyGFbm2SC
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 15, 2024
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME @AaronDonald97 🐐 ! DAMN IT WAS AN HONOR FR 😞🤟🏾
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 15, 2024
Happy Retirement pic.twitter.com/WuE3ClupcA
Respect ✊🏾
— Calais Campbell (@CalaisCampbell) March 15, 2024
