Aaron Donald explains retirement: 'I'm burnt out'

Aaron Donald shared a video on social media Wednesday explaining for the first time his decision to retire from football after 10 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

"I'm complete, I'm full," Donald said. "The passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I'll always love football, but to think about going through another camp, another (17-game) season, I just don't get the urge that I want to push myself to do that no more. I'm burnt out."

The former defensive lineman added: "I'm satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years, and I think it's time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career in my life. That's time to move on."

coming soon #rams #ad99 #ready #retirement #ddg pic.twitter.com/ozh8QDs0j7

- AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 20, 2024

A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald called it quits as one of the most dominant players in NFL history. The 2014 first-round pick earned a Pro Bowl berth in all 10 of his seasons in the league and also claimed eight first-team All-Pro berths.

A Super Bowl title was missing during most of Donald's career, but the Pitt product checked that box in the 2021 season in his second Big Game appearance. Donald made the game-sealing plays in both the NFC title game and Super Bowl LVI to help the Rams lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 22 years.

Donald considered retirement after that Super Bowl before inking a new lucrative contract with Los Angeles during the 2022 offseason. He retired with 111 career sacks in 154 appearances.

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