22 March 2024 , 04:00
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Aaron Donald's reasons for his retirement from the NFL have underlined the draining effect the sport has as he prepares for the next phase of his career.
After a brilliant 10 season run with the Los Angeles Rams, legendary defensive tackle Donald has shared just why he felt now was the right time to call time on a Hall of Fame career, saying he feels "burnt out"
He's one of only two players to get into the Pro Bowl every season for 10 years, just like Barry Sanders, the famous Detroit Lions running back. "I'm complete. I'm full," Aaron said in an interview via his social channels earlier this week.
"I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I will always love football, but to think about going through camp and going through another 17 (game) season. I just don't have the urge to want to push myself to do that no more."
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"I'm burnt out, if anything. The best way to say it is that I'm full. I'm complete. I'm satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years. I think it's time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career and my life. It's time to move on.
"Ten years, 10 Pro Bowls. Eight All-Pros, three Defensive Player of the Years, Defensive Rookie of the Year, two NFC championships, three NFC West championships, went to two Super Bowls, won one, lost one."
Donald is leaving the NFL as one of the best Defensive Tackles ever. JJ Watt from the Houston Texans told Forbes, "He probably has that title now that Aaron has retired. He is a phenomenal player."
Justin Pugh also said, "End of an era. @AaronDonald97 changed the game for interior DL. He is the Lawrence Taylor of our generation. Every DT should thank him for the contracts they have now and every offense guard should thank him as well for getting paid to try and block him! I hated going against you but thank you! ".
Aaron Donald has revealed the reason for his NFL retirement (Getty)The Rams are making changes in the offseason, adding Jimmy Garoppolo on a one-year deal after his tough time with the Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo shared, "I'm excited to start this new journey," and "I don't know exactly what is in store for me."
"Maybe reset, reinvent, whatever you want to call it I'm just excited to get back on the football field and start slinging around with some new guys. I love football. I love going out there with the guys. I love every bit of it. So I'm just excited to get back out there and start throwing again."
The quarterback was previously with the Raiders, but he was let go after a drugs violation suspension. Jimmy G will have to sit out the first two games of the season before he can support Rams' starting QB Matthew Stafford.
"They were straight to the point, very professional which I appreciated and there's no messing around," Garoppolo added. "Excited to be here. It's going to be fun."