Last week, Aaron Donald decided to hang up the cleats after over a decade of dominance of the NFL. It’s a decision that caught many within the NFL world by surprise, prompting widespread love and admiration for his legendary career from those in and around the league.
While the decision was a shocking one, it was a choice that Donald seems to be completely at peace with after being given time to reflect.
Aaron Donald Reflects on NFL Retirement Decision
Not long after shocking the NFL world with his decision, Donald took to social media on Wednesday afternoon to tease what appears to be an interview where he takes a moment to reflect on his career and his decision to walk away from the game.
coming soon 🎬 #rams #ad99 #ready #retirement #ddg pic.twitter.com/ozh8QDs0j7
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 20, 2024
“Ten years, 10 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pros, three Defensive Player of the Years, Rookie of The Year, two NFC Championships, three NFC West championships, went to two Super Bowls, won one, lost one, I’m at peace, I’m full,” Donald started.
“I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I will always love football, but thinking about going through another camp and another 17 season, I just don’t got the urge to want to push myself to do that no more.
“I’m burnt out, the best way to say it is, I’m full, I’m complete. I’m satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years, and I think it’s time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step in my career and my life. And now it’s time to move on.”
Donald has been able to play the game of football at an extremely high level, achieve all you possibly can on the football field, and do so in just 10 years. While many believe Donald could continue to dominate offensive linemen for several more years, he himself speaks about the fact that he no longer has the desire to do what it takes.
Donald’s earned the right, and the only loss here is the fans of the NFL who enjoyed watching him play. Next up for Donald seems to be some well-deserved rest before he moves on to the next chapter in his professional life.
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Nevertheless, five years from now, Donald will once again be back in the spotlight when he is undoubtedly going to be handed a gold jacket upon entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot nominee.
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