AARON DONALD (99) retired on Friday after 10 seasons with the Rams (Rams photo).

By Hugo Baker/Orange County Tribune

Mail carriers might have nightmares of pit bulls off the leash, gamblers of the IRS and politicians of “60 Minutes,” but for 10 years nothing put bad dreams in the hearts and minds of NFL quarterbacks, offensive coordinators and nose guards as much as the approach of Aaron Donald.

Donald, 32, announced his  retirement on Friday after all 10 years with the Rams, a decade in which he not only established himself as one of the greatest defensive players ever – he was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times – but helped lead his team to two Super Bowl appearances, including a victory at SoFi Stadium in February 2022.

He made the announcement via  social media.

“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically — 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be,” said Donald.     

“I respected this game like no other, and I’m blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me. Not many people get drafted to a team, win a world championship with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted.”

No one should take for granted what he meant to the Rams’ rise from the ashes in St. Louis to revival in Inglewood. 

He was such a force as a pass-rusher that it was accepted as normal that two or sometimes even three offensive linemen would be assigned to block him. Even so, he collected 111 sacks in his career, a Rams’ franchise record.

Sometimes he would be able to battle through a triple-team, but even when he couldn’t, he would free up one or two fellow pass-rushers to put pressure on the quarterback.

Rams’ coach Sean McVay honored Donald with a statement of his own. “The great players in our league elevate the people around them, and Aaron has modeled the way for our team as long as I’ve been with the Rams. He’s an elite competitor, someone who leads by example in a way that’s authentic to him, and an exceptional teammate who inspires everyone around him to be the best version of themselves.”