Aaron Donald facts for kids
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Donald with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020
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| No. 99 – Los Angeles Rams | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | May 23, 1991 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 280 lb (127 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Penn Hills (Penn Hills, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||
| College: | Pittsburgh (2010–2013) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2026 | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Aaron Charles Donald (born May 23, 1991) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive tackle and defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Experts consider Donald one of the greatest defensive players in football history. He is famous for his incredible strength, explosive speed, and smart plays on the field.
Donald played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he won major awards like the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He entered the NFL when the St. Louis Rams picked him in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Donald earned the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times. He helped the Rams win the championship in Super Bowl LVI. In 2026, he entered the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up in Pittsburgh
Aaron Donald was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 23, 1991. He grew up in a working-class family in the neighborhood of Lincoln–Lemington–Belmar. As a small child, Donald once admitted he felt a little lazy. His father wanted to help him build discipline and healthy habits. When Aaron was 12 years old, his father built a workout gym right in their basement.
The father and son woke up at 4:30 every morning to lift weights and exercise for nearly two hours. This morning routine taught young Aaron the value of hard work, dedication, and fitness. Donald went to Penn Hills High School, where he played high school football under coach Ron Graham. He was an amazing two-way player, starting at offensive guard and starring on defense.
During his senior year of high school, Donald earned first-team All-State honors. He collected 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line before a pass is thrown. Sports websites like Rivals.com ranked him as a top prospect. Donald chose to play college football close to home for the Pittsburgh Panthers over offers from schools like Toledo, Akron, and Rutgers.
College Football Career with the Pittsburgh Panthers
Donald began his college career as a true freshman in 2010. He played in all 13 games as a backup defensive end for the Pittsburgh Panthers. During that first year, he made 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks.
By his sophomore year in 2011, Donald earned a starting spot and became a defensive star. He made 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He also forced a fumble, which means knocking the ball out of an opponent's hands. His great play earned him second-team All-Big East Conference honors. As a junior in 2012, Donald continued to stop opponents by recording 64 tackles and 5.5 sacks, winning first-team All-Big East honors.
Donald had one of the most dominant seasons ever seen in the NCAA as a senior in 2013. He recorded 59 tackles, four forced fumbles, 11 sacks, and a nation-leading 28.5 tackles for loss. Because of his amazing season, Donald earned the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and was named a unanimous All-American. He also won the Bill Willis Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
In late 2025, the University of Pittsburgh honored Donald by retiring his number 97 jersey. In January 2026, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame to celebrate his legendary college achievements.
NFL Scouting Combine and the 2014 NFL Draft
Before joining the professional league, college players show their athletic skills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Donald stunned football coaches and scouts with his rare athletic ability. Even though he weighed nearly 285 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.68 seconds.
This performance set a record for the fastest 40-yard dash time ever run by a defensive tackle at the combine. The previous record was held by Tank Johnson, who ran it in 4.69 seconds in 2004. Scouts began comparing Donald's playing style and motor to Hall of Fame tackle John Randle. The St. Louis Rams chose Donald with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. In June 2014, Donald signed his first rookie contract with the team.
Professional Career with the Rams
Early Dominance and Rookie of the Year (2014–2015)
Donald made his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings, recording four tackles. In his second game, he earned his first career NFL sack by taking down quarterback Josh McCown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Donald made his first career start in Week 6 on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.
As the season rolled on, Donald kept making huge plays. He tackled Colin Kaepernick against the 49ers and knocked the ball loose from Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. He had a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs and helped shut out the Oakland Raiders while batting down a pass. Donald finished his rookie year with nine sacks and 47 tackles. He made the 2015 Pro Bowl and won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
In 2015, Donald became a full-time starter. During the opening game, he made nine tackles and two sacks against the Seahawks to win NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He continued to stop offenses against the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a win over the Cleveland Browns, he recorded another sack. Later that year, Donald tackled Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens and took down Matthew Stafford three times in a win over the Detroit Lions. Donald finished 2015 with 11 sacks, earned a spot on the First-team All-Pro squad, and was voted by players to the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
Moving to Los Angeles and First Defensive Player of the Year Award (2016–2017)
In 2016, the Rams moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles. Donald adjusted quickly to the new city. He made big plays against the Buffalo Bills and sacked star quarterback Cam Newton twice against the Carolina Panthers. Later in the season, Donald took down Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and sacked Matt Ryan against the Atlanta Falcons. He played well on Thursday Night Football against the Seahawks and finished the year with eight sacks, earning a spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
Donald reached an even higher level of excellence in 2017. He helped the Rams win a thrilling game against the 49ers by sacking Brian Hoyer. In Week 10, he helped Los Angeles beat the Houston Texans, and he later took down Blaine Gabbert twice against the Arizona Cardinals. He recorded five forced fumbles and 11 sacks on the season. Donald helped the Rams capture the NFC West division title. He played in his first postseason game during the Wild Card Round against the Falcons. For his outstanding work, Donald won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and placed near the top of the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
Record-Breaking Season and Super Bowl LIII (2018)
Before the 2018 season, Donald signed a major contract extension with the Rams. He followed that up with one of the greatest defensive seasons in football history. In Week 4, he sacked Kirk Cousins twice against the Vikings, and later took down Case Keenum of the Denver Broncos. Against the 49ers in Week 7, he dominated with four sacks against C. J. Beathard.
Donald kept rushing past blockers, taking down superstar Aaron Rodgers against the Green Bay Packers. In an exciting 54–51 win against the Chiefs, Donald forced two fumbles on Patrick Mahomes. In Week 16, he sacked Josh Rosen three times, bringing his season sack total to 19.5. This broke the NFL single-season record for sacks by a defensive tackle, which had belonged to Keith Millard since 1989.
Donald finished the 2018 regular season with a league-best 20.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. He became only the third player ever to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year back-to-back, joining legends Lawrence Taylor and J. J. Watt. In the playoffs, Donald helped the Rams defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. After beating the Saints, the Rams advanced to Super Bowl LIII. In the championship game against the New England Patriots, blockers like Joe Thuney teamed up to slow Donald down, and the Rams fell 13–3. His fellow players voted Donald as the number one overall player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
Continued Dominance (2019–2020)
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Donald stayed at the top of his game in 2019. On Sunday Night Football, he took down Baker Mayfield against the Browns. He grabbed two sacks against Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers and sacked Andy Dalton in a special game played in London against the Cincinnati Bengals. He followed with strong games against Mason Rudolph of the Steelers and the Chicago Bears. Donald finished the year with 12.5 sacks and was ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
In 2020, Donald started strong by taking down Dak Prescott against the Cowboys and sacking Josh Allen twice against the Bills. He also stopped the New York Giants and recorded four sacks in a single game against the Washington Football Team. Donald chased down Nick Foles of the Bears and sacked rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins.
Donald finished 2020 with 13.5 sacks and led the Rams back to the postseason. In the Wild Card Round, he sacked Wilson twice to defeat the Seahawks before facing the Packers in the next round. For his remarkable season, Donald won his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, tying the all-time NFL record. He ranked second on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.
Super Bowl LVI Victory (2021)
The 2021 season was magical for Donald and the Rams. He started the year by sacking Dalton again and took down legendary quarterback Tom Brady in a win over the Buccaneers. Donald harassed passers all year, sacking Davis Mills against the Texans, Ryan Tannehill against the Tennessee Titans, and taking down Kyler Murray three times in one game. He also forced another fumble on Cousins against Minnesota.
Donald finished the regular season with a career-high 84 tackles and 12.5 sacks. In the playoffs, Donald and the Rams went on a roll. They defeated the Cardinals and Buccaneers before beating the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. In that game, Donald pressured Garoppolo into throwing an interception to secure the win.
In Super Bowl LVI, the Rams faced the Bengals. Donald played a huge role with two sacks and four tackles. On the final defensive play of the game, on a fourth-and-1 with less than a minute left, Donald charged through the line, spun down quarterback Joe Burrow, and forced an incomplete pass to win the championship 23–20. Donald was ranked second on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
Later Seasons, Retirement, and Comeback (2022–2026)
In 2022, Donald became the first non-quarterback in NFL history to average more than $30 million per season. Early in the year, he reached a historic milestone by earning his 100th career sack against Murray. He sacked Cooper Rush against Dallas, but an ankle sprain against the Chiefs cut his season short. Donald returned healthy in 2023, taking down young passers like Anthony Richardson, Jordan Love, and Tyrod Taylor. He earned his 10th Pro Bowl selection and helped the Rams reach the playoffs against Detroit.
In March 2024, Donald announced his retirement from football after ten incredible seasons. He explained that he was proud of everything he had achieved and wanted to spend more time with his family. However, in 2026, Donald decided to make a dramatic comeback to rejoin the Rams. He wanted to play alongside star defensive lineman Myles Garrett. Donald returned to action on Monday Night Football against the Giants, playing most defensive snaps and helping the Rams win 28–6.
Personal Life and Community Work
Donald comes from a very close family. His older brother, Archie Donald Jr., was a talented football linebacker for Toledo who also spent time in the NFL. Growing up sharing a bunk bed, the brothers promised each other that they would work hard so their parents could retire comfortably. Aaron kept that promise. Donald also valued education, earning his college degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020.
Donald is married to his wife Erica, and he is a loving father to three children. Outside of football, he works hard to give back to others. He and his wife created the Aaron Donald 99 Foundation. This charity helps kids in underprivileged neighborhoods get access to sports, education, and mentorship programs so they can pursue their dreams.
Career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| NFL Defensive Player of the Year | |
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
NFL
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2014 | STL | 16 | 12 | 48 | 38 | 10 | 9.0 | 18 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | STL | 16 | 16 | 69 | 44 | 25 | 11.0 | 22 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | 40 | 0 |
| 2016 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 47 | 36 | 11 | 8.0 | 17 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | LAR | 14 | 14 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 11.0 | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 59 | 41 | 18 | 20.5 | 25 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 48 | 29 | 19 | 12.5 | 20 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 45 | 27 | 18 | 13.5 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | LAR | 17 | 17 | 84 | 38 | 46 | 12.5 | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | LAR | 11 | 11 | 49 | 27 | 22 | 5.0 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 8.0 | 16 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | LAR | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 156 | 152 | 547 | 341 | 206 | 111.0 | 177 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 7 | 40 | 0 | |
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2017 | LAR | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | LAR | 3 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | LAR | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | LAR | 4 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 3.5 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | LAR | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Career | 11 | 11 | 34 | 19 | 15 | 6.0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
College
| Season | Team | GP | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Pittsburgh | 13 | 11 | 3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Pittsburgh | 13 | 45 | 16 | 11.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | Pittsburgh | 13 | 64 | 18.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | Pittsburgh | 13 | 59 | 28.5 | 11.0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 52 | 179 | 66 | 29.5 | 0 | 6 | |
Career Achievements
- Super Bowl champion (LVI)
- 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014)
- 8× First-team All-Pro selection
- 10× Pro Bowl selection
- Deacon Jones Award for leading the NFL in sacks (2018)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team member
- College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2026)
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (2013)
- Chuck Bednarik Award winner (2013)
- Outland Trophy winner (2013)
- Lombardi Award winner (2013)
See also
In Spanish: Aaron Donald para niños
