Home / Sports / NFL Superstar Aaron Donald Retires at 32 After Dominant Decade
NFL Superstar Aaron Donald Retires at 32 After Dominant Decade
15 Nov
Summary
- Aaron Donald, a dominant Rams defender, retired in 2024 at age 32
- He won 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl
- Cited burnout and lack of passion as reasons for his early retirement
In a surprising move, NFL superstar Aaron Donald has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32. Donald, who spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, was a dominant force on the defensive line, cementing his status as a future Hall of Famer.
During his illustrious career, Donald won 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards (in 2017, 2018, and 2020) and helped the Rams win a Super Bowl in 2022. However, despite his continued excellence on the field, Donald felt that the time had come to step away from the game.
"I'm complete. I'm full," Donald said in a 2024 interview. "I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17-game season, I just don't got the urge to want to push myself through that no more."
Donald's retirement comes as a surprise, as he was widely expected to continue playing at a high level for several more years. However, the wear and tear of a decade in the NFL, combined with a desire to pursue other opportunities, ultimately led the 32-year-old to hang up his cleats.
