Three of the best interior performers in NFL history have retired over the past few weeks, with Rams legend Aaron Donald joining Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce in hanging up the cleats after an illustrious career.
Donald was immediately dominant as Pittsburgh’s No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft. He logged 9.0 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He was named a first-team All-Pro for the first of eight times in 2015.
Donald ends his career with 111.0 sacks, 176 tackles for loss, and 260 quarterback hits in 154 games. He also recorded 24 forced fumbles, 21 passes defensed, and seven fumble recoveries.
He’ll be eligible for the 2029 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Brenden Deeg
Jason Kelce and Aaron Donald will be in the same Hall-of-Fame class in 2029.
The best to ever do it at their positions. pic.twitter.com/asIUQLtN8D
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) March 15, 2024
Cowboys Fan Talk
Respect to one of the greatest of all time! https://t.co/Z4BZ4JGHEU
— CowboysFanTalk (@Cowboys_FanTalk) March 15, 2024
Gregg Rosenthal
it is extremely rare in sports for the recognized best player in the sport at what he does to win the championship with one decisive play, but Aaron Donald did that
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 15, 2024
Jeff Kerr
Most consecutive Pro Bowls to start a career
Lawrence Taylor — 10
Aaron Donald — 10 #Rams— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) March 15, 2024
LA Rams
The G.O.A.T. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Tu90oSajFC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2024
Cooper Kupp
Thankful to have been able to watch, learn from, and play alongside one of the best to ever do it. Appreciate you @AaronDonald97!
Feel sorry for whoever has to line up across from you, in whatever it is you want to do next!
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) March 15, 2024
NFL
"Dad, how good was Aaron Donald?" pic.twitter.com/VjWscZXc2L
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2024
Pat McAfee
🎶DOIN THE NEWS WITH @ToneDigz🎶
🎶DOIN THE NEWS DOIN THE NEWS🎶
😂😂 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/83Vy7U4gMn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 15, 2024
The Athletic
◽️ 3x Defensive Player of the Year
◽️ 8x First Team All-Pro
◽️ 10x Pro Bowler
◽️ 2010s All-Decade Team
◽️ Super Bowl LVI ChampionWill Aaron Donald go down as the greatest defensive player in NFL history?https://t.co/or8zG7nGhr pic.twitter.com/SYdoROkfVH
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 15, 2024
Kyler Murray
THANK GOD.😂😅🫡
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 15, 2024
Ryan Mink
Here's my story from December about how Justin Madubuike is living up to the Aaron Donald comparisons.https://t.co/8HpHNkA4VT
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) March 15, 2024
Pitt Panthers football
A Legendary Man. A Legendary Career.
You inspired so many and will continue to do so in Pittsburgh and beyond forever 🥹
Congrats, @AaronDonald97 👏
Canton will call for this proud Pitt man 🐐#H2P » @NFL pic.twitter.com/zdyl5JA5mm
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) March 15, 2024
PFF
It took three people to block Aaron Donald 💀 pic.twitter.com/0Jg4O96IrI
— PFF (@PFF) March 15, 2024
Kevin Durant
Enjoy your retirement 99. The work u put in on that gridiron is unmatched.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 15, 2024
Dan Graziano
That’s one hell of a second paragraph. pic.twitter.com/lpWs3sQNXe
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 15, 2024
Aaron Donald
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
Field Yates
Minutes after announcing his retirement from the NFL, Aaron Donald has now been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2024
