I was shocked earlier today when I checked the Rams Wire website to see if the team had signed any new free agents, but instead was smacked in the face with the news that Aaron Donald had unexpectedly retired. Donald, who is arguably the best defensive lineman of his generation and certainly the greatest Defensive Tackle to ever play the game, announced that he was hanging it up via his social media accounts earlier in the day. Many had speculated that Donald would have stepped aside just after the Rams had won Super Bowl 56 in which his crucial sack of Bengals quarterback Joe Borrow had sealed the teams victory. Since that time, Rams fans have been holding their breath every offseason in hopes that Donald would be coming back for another season. Today, however, the day that everyone hoped would never come, finally did.
I listened to 710 ESPN Los Angeles via iHeart Radio soon after I learned about Donald's retirement. I believe that it was the LA Sports Live with Mychal Thompson & Andrew Siciliano program, they had some interesting takes on the subject. They pointed out that despite the fact that Donald's retirement news came as surprise to fans, he certainly hadn't just dropped a bomb on the Rams organization who certainly knew of his plans for weeks and had been operating during the opening days of the leagues free agency period knowing full well that they would be playing the 2024 season without number 99. To make a long story short, Donald had done the Rams a solid by choosing to retire this season instead of right after the Super Bowl or after the disastrous season that followed. Had he chose to do so, the team would have been plunged into chaos. Today, however, the Rams have suddenly become a team with a good mixture of veterans like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp along with rising stars like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua. By choosing to step aside now, he opens the door for the promising young tackle, Kobie Turner, to step up and become a force on the Rams defensive front.
Let us not forget Les Sneads's ability to pull off blockbuster trades for marquee players who have grow tired of their present teams. With a number one pick in their pocket, a deal for for one of the leagues best defensive player to fill the void left by Donald is just a phone call away.
Watching Donald wreck havoc on opposing offenses for the last ten years has been an absolute joy, and quite honestly Sunday's just won't be the same without number 99 out on the field. He was one of those special kind of players that always gave 110 percent every play and like all the greats before him, shined at the times when the game was on the line. His Super Bowl winning sack was just one of those moments.
During his ten year career Aaron Donald really did it all from winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, being selected to the All-Pro Team every season, setting team and league records, and ultimately winning that elusive championship. When you look at it all in perspective, what was their for Donald to accomplish, what would be the motivation to keep playing? Money? Instead of continuing to cash in, he opted to go out on top, still in his prime, on his terms. Most pro athletes tend to hang on until they are forced into retirement by injury or declining play, Donald decided to exit honorably, something that speaks volumes about the man and his character.
Thanks for all the wonderful memories Number 99.
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