Aaron Donald

Super Bowl winner Aaron Donald plays as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the year is currently one of the best in the league. Aaron Donald is considered to be the best interior pass rusher in the league right now, and perhaps the best pass rusher. His ability to generate as much pressure as he does from the defensive tackle position is what makes him excellent.

Aaron Donald’s Early Life and Background

Donald was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood. He attended Penn Hills High School and started as a defensive tackle and also as an offensive guard. He committed to the University of Pittsburgh and played 13 games in his freshman year, as a backup defensive tackle. He transitioned to starter by his sophomore year and by his senior year, Donald was one of the best defensive players in the NCAA. He was named as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and was also a unanimous All-American.

Aaron Donald NFL Draft

Aaron Donald was one of the best-rated defensive prospects of the 2014 NFL Draft. He had already set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash by a defensive tackle in the NFL Combine (4.68 seconds). The Los Angeles Rams (St. Louis Rams at that time) drafted Aaron Donald in the first round as the 13th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. Some notable players from the 2014 NFL Draft include quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and edge rusher Khalil Mack.

Aaron Donald’s NFL Journey

Donald signed a four-year rookie contract with the Rams after being selected in the draft. In his rookie year, Donald won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was also named to the NFL All-Rookie team. In 2015, Donald was named the starting defensive tackle for the Rams. He started all games of the season and ended the season with 69 tackles, 11 sacks, and a fumble recovery. This led to him being selected for the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Donald had a strong third season with the Rams but he was fined multiple times through the regular season for unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 for exemplary performances for the Rams. It was also a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection for him.

Donald signed a six-year deal worth $135 million in 2018. The contract guaranteed him $87 million and also made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in league history. He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, but they ended up losing. He was, however, ranked as the #1 player by his peers in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

Aaron Donald won the 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Rams to another NFL Playoff. In the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams won a Super Bowl (LVI) against the Cincinnati Bengals. Donald made two sacks and three quarterback hits in the game and his pressure play on the fourth down with less than a minute to play secured the 23-20 win for the Rams.

Aaron Donald’s Teams

Los Angeles Rams (2014-Present)

Aaron Donald has established himself as the best defensive tackle in the league since joining the Los Angeles Rams. He has been selected in the Pro-Bowl ever since his rookie season for all eight seasons he has spent at the NFL. He made it to two Super Bowls with the Rams and won the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2022. Aaron Donald has been excellent for the Rams and even won NFL Defensive Player of the Year thrice. He leads the Rams franchise record for most career sacks (98) and the player still has a lot of mileage to offer to the Rams. His current contract with the L.A. Rams is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season.

Championships and Rings Won by Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald added a Super Bowl Ring to his collection by winning the 2022 Super Bowl (LVI). He has also won two Conference Championship Rings by winning the NFC title in 2018 and 2021.

Aaron Donald Super Bowl Championship Rings

Aaron Donald Championship Rings

Aaron Donald’s Super Bowl Stats

Total Super Bowl Appearances: 2

Super Bowl Record: 1-1

Aaron Donald Awards and Honors

Awards

Aaron Donald NFL Records

• Fastest 40-Yard Dash in NFL Combine by a Defensive Tackle- 4.68 seconds

• NFL Sacks Leader- 2018

Aaron Donald's Net Worth

Aaron Donald’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million. He was 40th richest athlete in the world as per Forbes magazine, in 2021. He received a majority of his wealth from the $135 million contract he signed with the Rams in 2017. He received a signing bonus of $40 million. He also received a $500,000 endorsement deal with companies like Electronic Arts and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Aaron Donald Parents

Aaron Donald was born to Archie Donald and Anita Goggins on May 23, 1991. Donald was one of three children in the family as he has an elder brother (Archie Donald Jr.) and a sister (Akita Donald). Aaron Donald’s parents split up in 1999 and lived separately thereafter.

Aaron Donald’s father Archie Donald was one of the greatest driving forces behind his football career. Aaron used to be a lazy child and his father used to wake him up early every morning and push him to train for at least two hours before going to school.

Aaron Donald’s mother Anita, used to be a homemaker before she split up with her husband. She moved to Duquesne, Pennsylvania although she remained very much a part of her children’s lives.

Aaron Donald Brother

Aaron Donald has an older brother, Archie Donald Jr. who was a linebacker at ‘Toledo’ and remained as a free agent in the NFL before retiring in 2012. The two brothers grew up together sharing a bunk bed and have an amazing bond to this day.

Aaron Donald's Wife

Aaron Donald is married to Erica Donald (previously Erica Sherman). They had been in a relationship for a long time and also have a son. Donald also has two children (a daughter and a son) from a previous relationship.

Read all about Aaron Donald’s wife here

Aaron Donald Diet

Aaron Donald, one of the fittest players in the NFL and one of the strongest and leanest, relies primarily on a diet high in carbohydrates and fats. The defensive player for the LA Rams contradicts the standard for high-protein diets followed by the majority of NFL players.

The Diet of the 30-year-old includes 30% fats, 50% carbohydrates, and 20% protein.

To reach his daily calorie goal of 5,000, Donald consumes 164 grams of fat, 616 grams of carbohydrates, and 245 grams of protein.

Aaron Donald House

Currently, Aaron Donald resides in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. In 2022, he paid $17 million for a house in the San Fernando Valley. Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Rams, lives nearby. The 12,000 square foot home built by Aaron Donald is designed in the English Country style. With his wife Erica Sherman and their three children, he resides there.

The home has an infinity pool, a gym, a theater, and a hot sauna in addition to 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. After selling his former home in Calabasas, California, for around $6.258 million, Donald moved into this residence.

Aaron Donald Cars

When Aaron Donald agreed to an extension of his contract with the Los Angeles Rams, he purchased an opulent Karma Revero. The price of the electric vehicle is about $145,000. Among other vehicles, Aaron Donald has also owned a Bentley and a Ford Bronco.

Aaron Donald's Rookie Card

The average Aaron Donald rookie card is worth $6.99. The most expensive Aaron Donald Football Rookie Card (Aaron Donald Rookie Card BGS 9.5 - POP 1) was sold on eBay in October 2021 for $2999.