Aaron Donald had done EVERYTHING you can do in the NFL - Booger McFarland | SportsCenter

today's the day quarterbacks are rejoicing Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald announcing he is retiring one of the most fear Defenders of his generation the 32-year-old played 10 seasons was an all pro eight times Defensive Player of the Year three times one a Super Bowl all with the Rams Donald said this about walking away quote for 10 years I've been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level I'm thankful for the people I've met along the way the relationships I've built and the things I've accomplished with my teammates individually throughout my career I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be I respected this game like no other I am blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me not many people get drafted to a team win a world championship with that team and then retire with that team I do not and will not take that for granted Donald drafted again thir 13th overall by the Rams in 2014 one Defensive Rookie of the Year That season and that was just the start for the pit guy he was a pro bowler in every season of his career named First Team all proo in eight of his 10 seasons led the league in sack since entering and he's tied with JJ Watt and Lawrence Taylor my goodness the most Defensive Player of the Year Awards in NFL history two-time Super Bowl champion our very own defensive tackle Booger McFarland joins us now for much more book what was your reaction to the news that Donald is retiring well Kev I was a little shocked even though he had hinted at it a couple of years ago you could tell that I'm not going to say the game was becoming boring but Kev he had done everything that you can do in the game I mean he was dominating week in and week out and at some point because of the violence of the position how violent this game is he's amassed all the awards he's made a ton of money at some point you have to have motivation to continue to play so anytime you hear a player start thinking about retirement usually retirement is not far off all right a three-time defensive player of the year here no doubt he's going to go first ballot into Canton class of 2029 how do you put into context what a terror Donald was for opposing quarterbacks the last decade well Kev usually as a defensive player you know we get game plan specifically whether or not we can command a double team and nobody commanded a double team the way that Aaron Donald did so he allowed defensive coordinators whoever was the Rams coordinator they could game plan knowing specifically that the opposing team was going to double team Aon Donald each and every play so schematically you could Blitz from the opposite side you could do so many different things and G there's no greater respect in the National Football League where we're all professionals when the opposing team puts not one not two not three but four guys to block you C there's no greater respect in this league where we're all professionals than when they do [Music] that