Aaron Donald reveals the real reason he stunned the NFL and retired
When Aaron Donald, 32, retired, few saw it coming. But the now soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Fame player is revealing the real reason why he chose to hang up his cleats for good. His explanation is far simpler than most imagined. "I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me," he […]
When Aaron Donald, 32, retired, few saw it coming.
But the now soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Fame player is revealing the real reason why he chose to hang up his cleats for good. His explanation is far simpler than most imagined.
"I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me," he said in a short online video posted on X. "I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17-[game] season, I don’t got the urge to want to push myself to do that no more. I’m burnt out.
"If anything, the best way to say it is I’m full. I’m complete. I’m satisfied what I was able to do in 10 years. I think it’s time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career and my life. It’s time to move on."
Donald continued: "Ten 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 complete. I’m full."
There isn't anything Donald hasn't accomplished in his NFL career. As he was entering another offseason, he looked around and saw that his work was complete after just one decade in the NFL.
He never wanted to be that one player that hung around too long. And it is safe to say he avoided that reality with his decision.
Donald has 111 sacks for his career, tied for 40th all-time with Randy White. He also had 543 tackles.
What a career.
