Aaron Donald is a highly celebrated American former professional football player. He was a defensive tackle and played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the Los Angeles Rams. His exceptional skill and performance have earned him recognition as one of the best defensive players in the history of the sport.
May 23, 1991: Aaron Donald's Birth
Aaron Donald was born on May 23, 1991.
2004: Tank Johnson Sets 40-Yard Dash Record
In 2004, Tank Johnson set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive tackle.
2011: Breakout Season at Pitt
In 2011, Aaron Donald had a breakout season as a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, recording 47 tackles, including 16 for loss, and 11 sacks.
2012: Archie Jr.'s Retirement from the NFL
Aaron Donald's brother, Archie Jr., retired from the NFL in 2012 after playing as an undrafted free agent. Archie Jr., a star linebacker at Toledo, shared a dream with his brother Aaron to help their parents retire one day, which motivated Aaron throughout his career.
June 16, 2014: Signing with the Rams
On June 16, 2014, Aaron Donald signed his rookie contract with the St. Louis Rams.
September 7, 2014: NFL Debut
Aaron Donald made his NFL debut on September 7, 2014, against the Minnesota Vikings.
October 13, 2014: First NFL Start
On October 13, 2014, Aaron Donald made his first NFL start against the San Francisco 49ers.
December 13, 2015: Career-High Three Sacks
On December 13, 2015, Aaron Donald recorded a career-high three sacks against the Detroit Lions.
2015: Pro Bowl and Defensive Rookie of the Year
In 2015, Aaron Donald was selected to his first Pro Bowl and won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
September 12, 2016: Ejection for Contact with Referee
On September 12, 2016, Aaron Donald was ejected from a game for making illegal contact with a referee.
October 21, 2016: Fined for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
On October 21, 2016, Aaron Donald was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game against the Detroit Lions.
2016: First-Team All-Pro Selection
In 2016, Aaron Donald earned his first First-Team All-Pro selection.
April 12, 2017: Fifth-Year Option Exercised
On April 12, 2017, the Rams exercised the fifth-year option on Aaron Donald's contract.
September 9, 2017: Return to Rams After Holdout
On September 9, 2017, Aaron Donald reported to the Rams after a contract holdout.
December 19, 2017: Fourth Pro Bowl Selection
On December 19, 2017, Aaron Donald was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
2017: Third Pro Bowl and Second First-Team All-Pro
In 2017, Aaron Donald was named to his third Pro Bowl and earned his second First-Team All-Pro selection.
August 31, 2018: Record-Breaking Contract Extension
On August 31, 2018, Aaron Donald signed a six-year, $135 million contract extension with the Rams, briefly making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
2018: NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Following the 2017 NFL season, Aaron Donald was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
2018: Initial Contract Extension
In 2018, Aaron Donald signed a significant contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams. This deal laid the foundation for his future earnings and secured his place as a cornerstone of the franchise.
2018: Single-Season Sack Record and Pro Bowl Selection
In 2018, Aaron Donald broke the NFL single-season sack record for a defensive tackle and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
January 4, 2019: AP All-Pro First-team Selection
On January 4, 2019, Aaron Donald was named to the AP All-Pro First-team, notably as the only unanimous selection.
February 2, 2019: NFL Defensive Player of the Year
On February 2, 2019, Aaron Donald received the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season. This achievement put him in the company of Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only players to win the award in consecutive seasons.
2019: Season Performance and Accolades
During the 2019 season, Aaron Donald had a strong performance, culminating in being selected for the 2020 Pro Bowl. He achieved First Team All-Pro honors and was ranked third by fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
April 27, 2020: Graduation from the University of Pittsburgh
On April 27, 2020, Aaron Donald shared on Twitter that he had graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in communications. This achievement highlighted his commitment to education alongside his successful football career.
2020: Season Performance and Accolades
During the 2020 NFL season, Aaron Donald was recognized for his stellar play with a Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro honors, and a second-place ranking on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 by his fellow players.
2020: Season Performance and Recognition
In the 2020 season, Aaron Donald had another impressive year, receiving both Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. His peers ranked him third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
February 6, 2021: NFL Defensive Player of the Year
On February 6, 2021, Aaron Donald was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four years, cementing his reputation as a dominant force on defense.
2021: Birth of a Son
In 2021, Aaron Donald and his wife celebrated the birth of their son. This addition to their family joined Donald's two other children, a daughter and a son, from a previous relationship.
June 7, 2022: Contract Renegotiation
On June 7, 2022, the Los Angeles Rams and Aaron Donald agreed to renegotiate his existing contract, which was initially signed in 2018. This new deal made Donald the first non-quarterback in NFL history to have an average salary exceeding $30 million per season.
2022: Super Bowl LVI Victory and Recognition
In 2022, Aaron Donald played a key role in the Los Angeles Rams' victory in Super Bowl LVI. His performance throughout the season earned him a second-place ranking on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022, as voted by his peers.
2023: Season Performance and Injury
During the 2023 NFL season, Aaron Donald recorded a solid performance but his season was cut short due to an ankle sprain suffered in Week 13. Despite this setback, he was honored with his ninth Pro Bowl selection and ranked 11th by fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
2023: Season Performance and Accolades
In the 2023 NFL season, Aaron Donald achieved another successful year, earning his tenth Pro Bowl selection and eighth first-team All-Pro honor. His consistent excellence helped the Rams secure a 10-7 record and a return to the playoffs.
March 15, 2024: Retirement Announcement
Aaron Donald announced his retirement from professional football on March 15, 2024, via social media. This decision marked the end of a remarkable career filled with accomplishments and accolades.