Aaron Donald
Aaron Charles Donald[1] (born May 23, 1991) is an American former football defensive tackle who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He spent his entire career with the Rams franchise while it was located in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He played college football at Pittsburgh, where he received unanimous All-American honors, and was selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
No. 99
May 23, 1991
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
280 lb (127 kg)
Pittsburgh (2010–2013)
2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
543
543
111.0
24
7
21
Regarded as one of the greatest defensive players of all time,[2][3][4] Donald was named Defensive Player of the Year a record three times (tied with J. J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor), along with receiving Pro Bowl selections in all ten of his seasons and eight first-team All-Pro honors. Donald was also a member of the team that won Super Bowl LVI.
Professional career[edit]
Pre-draft[edit]
At the NFL Combine, Donald set the record for fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive tackle with a 4.68. The record was previously held by Tank Johnson, who ran a 4.69 in 2004. He drew comparisons to John Randle afterwards.[19]
Personal life[edit]
Donald's older brother, Archie Jr., was a star linebacker at Toledo who "bounced around the NFL as an undrafted free agent until retiring in 2012".[124] The brothers, who shared bunk beds in their childhood, frequently thought about one day helping their parents retire, which according to Gonzalez became one of the driving forces in Aaron's career.[5] On April 27, 2020, Donald revealed on Twitter that he had graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in communications.[125]
In 2021, Donald and his wife had a son. Donald also has two other children, a daughter and a son, from a previous relationship.[126]