Aaron Donald had enough to eat.
The generational Rams defensive tackle informed head coach Sean McVay on Jan. 15 that he was hanging up his cleats with a two-word statement that summed up his desire to play.
On January 15, Donald told McVeigh, “I’ve had enough.” According to Sports Illustrated.
With this, one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history officially began his journey to Canton to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
McVay said he knew immediately what Donald meant when he spoke to him in his office the day after the Rams lost 24-23 to the Lions in the wild-card round on Jan. 14.
“I think so, and you should too. You have a right to feel that way,” McVay told SI. “How wonderful. These words do not do justice to the way he so eloquently expressed it to me that all we really want as humans is to be at peace and happy. I’m just expressing it. He was full. And hey, did you feel it? He earned it too, so you’re so happy.”
Donald will be remembered as a uniquely disruptive and all-time great talent who helped the Rams win the Super Bowl in February 2022.
The 32-year-old won Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2020, as well as Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.
He made the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his NFL seasons.
Donald has 111 sacks in his career, including a league-high 20.5 sacks in 2018.
He logged eight games last season and helped the Rams return to the postseason.
“Cheers to what’s next. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support of the Rams and our fans over the past 10 years. Lots of love.” Donald wrote to X.
McVay told Sports Illustrated that he hopes Donald remains involved with the series.
“He’s welcome. I think the way he stays alive is that you continue to honor his legacy and continue to utilize him in stories that you can tell them. Fortunately, these guys A lot of them see it, so when you reference it, they see it too, so you can use that as an example,” McVeigh said. “His legend will never die. There are stories upon stories. There’s proof in the film. When you’re trying to paint a picture or teach a lesson, it’s usually the storytelling that resonates the most. I think.
“And he’s going to be someone I look to for the rest of my life as long as I’m lucky enough to coach him.”
