In what has already been an incredibly busy week packed full of NFL news, All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald decided to make a giant headline of his own on Friday when he announced his retirement from the league.
It’s an announcement that likely caught a few people off guard, but Donald stepping away from the NFL is something that has been speculated ever since he was able to help the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl during the 2021 season.
Needless to say, a number of fans took to Twitter on Friday to share their reactions to one of the best defensive linemen in league history calling it quits.
i’m a rams fan and i can’t breathe 😭
— Alexis Kraft (@TheAlexisKraft) March 15, 2024
congrats to one of the greatest to ever do it pic.twitter.com/yKZ6VjVFIL
— poppa (@popitforpoppa) March 15, 2024
One of the best to ever do it.
Hall of famer without a doubt.
— Ty | Other Kinds of Money (@OtherKindsMoney) March 15, 2024
I’m absolutely speechless.
I’m happy for Aaron Donald and heart broken for us Rams fans at the same time.
The greatest of all time at his position – Thank you for such an amazing career with the Rams.
— Brojefe | Joey Brown (@IAmBrojefe) March 15, 2024
CARDINALS, NINERS AND SEAHAWKS FANS REJOICE LFG HE’S GONE!
— Video Games and Chill (@VGandChill) March 15, 2024
After 10 seasons, Donald leaves the NFL as one of the most decorated players in the history of the league.
During his 10 years with the Rams, the star defensive lineman was a 10-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time First-Team All-Pro, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a Super Bowl champion.
An argument can definitely be made that Donald had one of the best careers out of any defensive player to ever step foot on an NFL field.
He was just a dominant force from the start, and it’s still crazy to think that 12 teams passed on him in the 2014 NFL Draft before the Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick.
The Rams will have a big void to fill in the middle of their defensive line before next season, but for now, the team and their fans are probably going to spend the weekend looking back on all the success they had with Donald.
NEXT: Aaron Donald Makes Decision On His NFL Future