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Aaron Donald after winning the title in the 2021/22 season
Photo:
Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald surprisingly ended his football career in the NFL after ten years.
The Los Angeles Rams and Donald announced this on Friday.
The 32-year-old played his entire career with the Rams, who selected him 13th overall in the 2014 draft.
With the Rams, the outstanding defensive player won the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 (23:20).
Donald decisively decided the game with two spectacular defensive actions shortly before the end.
At the time, many had expected Donald to resign, but at this point the decision comes as a surprise.
Donald was in the Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-star game, ten times.
In 2017, 2018 and 2020 he received the award as the best defensive player in the American League.
He joins Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and JJ Watt as the only players to receive this award three times.
Thanks to his dominant style of play, Donald became one of the faces of the league.
"Throughout my career I have given everything to football both mentally and physically - 365 days a year I was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be," Donald wrote on social media.
»I have respected this game like no other and I am blessed to be able to finish my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me.«
"We are very grateful for Aaron's commitment to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field over the past decade," Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement.
»He shaped generations of football fans and his achievements, coupled with his work ethic and passion, continue to inspire his teammates, coaches and athletes around the world.
It is a privilege to have witnessed one of the greatest players of all time, and we are proud that Aaron Donald will forever be a part of NFL history as a member of the Rams.
kjo/dpa/Reuters