Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald stuns NFL by announcing retirement after 10 seasons

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Mar 15, 2024 2:30 PM ET

It's the end of an era in Los Angeles.

Future Hall of Fame Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald stunned the NFL world on Friday by announcing his retirement.

It ends a career that saw Donald established as one of the finest defensive players of all time, and saw him win three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Donald made the game-clinching play as the Rams won the Super Bowl in Los Angeles for the first time in February 2022. The Rams saw off the Cincinnati Bengals at their SoFi Stadium home.

His retirement announcement read in part: "Throughout my career, I have given everything to football both mentally and physically — 365 days a year I was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be.

"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."

pic.twitter.com/Ex0gGRpJtX
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2024

Donald was drafted by the Rams with the 13th overall pick in 2014 and immediately set about making that pick look like a steal.

He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 after racking up nine sacks and demonstrated remarkable consistency in tormenting opposing quarterbacks throughout his career.

Only once did he finish with fewer than eight sacks, posting five in a 2022 season that saw him miss six games.

He led the NFL with an astonishing 20.5 in 2018, along with 25 tackles for loss, winning his second successive Defensive Player of the Year award as a result. He won his third in 2020.

Donald made the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his NFL seasons and was an eight-time First-team All-Pro. Only in his rookie year and in 2022 did he fail to earn that honor.

His crowning achievement came in Super Bowl LVI, when his fourth-down pressure of Joe Burrow secured a 23-20 win over the Bengals. That secured him the piece of jewelry every player wants. Now, he can look forward to receiving the jacket everyone in the NFL wants to wear.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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