WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Because of the high level he was still playing at when he chose to call it a career – and probably due to still looking in playing shape – a frequent comment on social media since Aaron Donald's retirement is some variation of begging him to come back and play alongside a talented Rams defensive front.
Asked Wednesday if he ever found himself having moments where he missed the game, and how he handled moments when that did come up, Donald said he hasn't. While he misses things like the camaraderie from hanging out with teammates in the locker room, in meeting rooms and while watching film, he made it clear he does not miss playing the game and is happily retired – with plenty keeping him busy in his post-playing days.
"I've got four kids and a wife, man. That, doing a lot of other things," Donald said while speaking to local media Wednesday afternoon. "Obviously with my Ready Nutrition company, our development company, a couple of things we working on in the film space, my (AD99) foundation. So a little bit of everything, honestly, man, just really staying busy. I always tell people, 'I feel like I retired and got more busy!' But it's good to be busy, good to have things in place for life after football. So I've been enjoying it."
He and his family will get a chance to take a brief break from all of those duties on Sunday when Donald's legacy is celebrated by the Rams during their Week 12 Sunday Night Football game against the Buccaneers this weekend.
Donald said that when he first walked onto the practice field during training camp leading into the 2023 season, he knew that would be his last year playing. He said he didn't share it with the media because he didn't want to be a distraction, but he and his family knew. A couple coaches had an idea that was the case, too, including head coach Sean McVay based on some of the conversations they had before he decided to return for that 2023 season.
"That's why, my last year, I just tried to enjoy every moment of it, taking it all in, even the bad games, the good games," Donald said. "Just trying to take it in like a kid playing all over again, and I felt like I did that, and I had a lot of fun my last season. To be with a young group that had a lot of success and to see them guys grow over the years, it's pretty cool to watch them now."
It's appropriate Donald brings up that young defensive front, because it essentially took that collection of talent in the aggregate to replace the pass rush Donald generated by himself. Donald, who said that he mainly watches the Rams and tries to whenever they're playing, has enjoyed watching that group become one of the NFL's most feared pass rushes in such a short amount of time.
Donald remains in contact with those younger players like defensive end Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Jared Verse, and is happy to serve as a resource to any player who reaches out, whether they want to get a workout in at his house, want to watch film with him or just want advice.
"They're fun to watch, man, as a fan now, watching on the couch," Donald said. "And that's not just the sack numbers, it's the pressure they're putting on the quarterback, making them uncomfortable, getting quarterbacks off their spots, not allowing quarterbacks to step into their throws at times, man, I think that's the way you want to impact the game as a pass rusher."
When Donald announced his retirement, he said that he was "full," "complete" and "satisfied," and no longer had the passion to play the game. Having the ability to conclude on his own terms a 10-year career that included helping deliver the Rams their first Super Bowl title in Los Angeles, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, 10 Pro Bowls, 8 First-Team All-Pros and being named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team, it's hard to argue against his decision.
He's happily retired – even if retirement feels busier than his actual playing days – and looking forward to being celebrated by his adopted city alongside his family and loved ones on Sunday.
"I always say I feel like L.A. adopted me," Donald said. "I've been here for 10 years, my two youngest kids were born and are being raised here, so L.A.'s home, too. Obviously, I've talked about (this), when you put the body of work in and you accomplish things and you know how hard you've worked to put yourself in a certain position, and to be able to reap the benefits of that still, being done with the game, it's pretty special. Anytime somebody, no matter if it's big or small, honor you, it's special. I take nothing for granted. I just try to be in the moment, enjoy every second of it. Like I said, to be able to take this in with my family, my loved ones, it's even more special."
