Aaron Donald

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LVI champion.

Aaron Charles Donald (born May 23, 1991) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He is considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

Quick Facts

Current team: Los Angeles Rams
Position: Defensive tackle
Born: 23 May 1991
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
High school: Penn Hills (Penn Hills, Pennsylvania)
College: Pittsburgh (2010–2013)
Draft year: 2014
Draft pick: 13

Lore & Background

Donald played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, winning the Bronko Nagurski, Outland, and Bill Willis trophies and the Chuck Bednarik and Lombardi awards in 2013. Selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, Donald spent his first 10 seasons with the franchise before retiring in 2023, but returned in 2026. He has been named Defensive Player of the Year a record three times, along with receiving Pro Bowl selections in all 10 of his seasons and eight first-team All-Pro honors. Donald was also a member of the Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2026.

Reader's Guide

Donald attended Penn Hills High School, where he played high school football. He committed to hometown Pittsburgh over other scholarship offers from Toledo, Akron, and Rutgers. As a senior in 2013, Donald became one of the most productive defensive players in the entire NCAA. He posted 59 tackles, including a career best 28.5 for loss, 11 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Donald was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American. The University of Pittsburgh retired his 97 jersey at halftime on November 15, 2025. Two months later, on January 14, 2026, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

At the NFL Combine, Donald set the record for fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive tackle at 4.68.
Donald won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2014.
Donald was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week multiple times in his career.