Aaron Donald Officially Placed on Reserve List by Rams After NFL Retirement

Former Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald previously announced his retirement in March, but his ex-franchise further confirmed that decision Friday by officially placing him on the reserve/retired list, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Donald, a surefire first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer in five years, finished his decade-long career as one of the NFL's all-time best defensive players. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner made the Pro Bowl in each season he played while earning eight First-Team All-Pro honors. Donald also made the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team.

The Rams enjoyed great success for most of his career, making the playoffs five times. The Rams also took home three NFC West titles, two NFC championships and one Super Bowl.

Donald finished his career with 111 sacks, including an NFL-high 20.5 in 2018. He also added 543 tackles, 260 quarterback hits and 24 forced fumbles.

Donald's final season was another success, with the ex-Pitt star getting eight sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 53 tackles for the Rams, who made the playoffs. He also earned First Team All-Pro honors once again.

However, Donald explained to his wife, Erica, why he decided to call it a career in an exclusive interview in his childhood home following the season (h/t Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson).

"I'm complete. I'm full," Donald said.

"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 another camp and another 17-(game) season, I just don't got the urge to want to push myself through that no more. I'm just, I'm burnt out. The best way to say it is 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, my life. Now it's time to move on."

Certainly, the rest of the NFL (and particularly the NFC West) is happy to never face Donald again. But the Rams obviously have to find a way forward without the superstar, who was an invaluable stalwart and the anchor of the team since 2014.