Former Pitt Superstar Aaron Donald Retires
PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald made a stunning announcement this week.
Donald, who has dominated at Penn Hills High School, Pitt and with the Los Angeles Rams, announced that he would retire from football after 10 years in professional football.
"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. I respected the game like no other and I'm blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me. ... As I turn my focus to a new chapter, I don't know what the future holds, but I am excited about the off-the-field possibilities."
Donald's racked up 53 total tackles this season, 16 for a loss, eight sacks, 23 quarterback hits and three passes defended. Frequent double-teams still weren't slowing down the best defensive tackle in the NFL, even as he wrapped up his age 32 season.
Donald, the 2014 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, has also won three overall Defensive Player of the Year awards and First-Team All-Pro selections in eight of his nine seasons. He earned a Super Bowl ring in 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams.
He dominated his senior season at Pitt in 2013, finishing the year having taken home ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, in addition to the Nagurski, Lombardi and Bednarik Awards and the Outland Trophy and consensus first-team All-American honors. Donald's 66 career tackles for loss rank fourth all-time in NCAA history.
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