Aaron Donald garners praise from NBA icon LeBron James after Rams legend announces retirement

Aaron Donald was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2014, and ascended to become one of the league’s most feared defenders. He defies conventional size expectations for a defensive tackle, but his impact on the squad has been colossal.

Donald kept disrupting the rival’s offense in the 2023 season as well. Last season offered some setbacks for him as he got slapped by a fine. The veteran was also rumored to leave the Rams for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he smashed the rumor and announced his retirement as a Rams star after 10 seasons, prompting a reaction from LeBron James.

LeBron James applauds Aaron Donald

LeBron James has always had an eye for greatness beyond the hardwood. He recently turned his attention to Aaron Donald, showering him with praise upon his retirement. Known for his record-breaking feats in the NBA, James has also carved out a reputation as an avid NFL enthusiast by often sharing his thoughts and reactions on social media.

James congratulated Donald on his remarkable career in a heartfelt message on his personal X account, hailing him as a dominant force on the field.

“FACTS!!! Congratulations 9️⃣9️⃣!! Was an absolute pleasure to watch you dominate! 🫡 CHAMP”, James wrote.

This isn’t the first time LeBron James has acknowledged Aaron Donald’s greatness. The NBA star labeled Donald as the best defensive player he has ever seen back in February 2022, via Lakers Nation. He even drew comparisons to legendary figures like Lawrence Taylor and mentioned Donald’s impact on the game by elevating him to the pinnacle of defensive excellence.

Aaron Donald’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that saw him redefine the standards of defensive excellence. He amassed an impressive array of accolades, including three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight first-team All-Pro selections, and 10 Pro Bowl appearances. His contributions were instrumental in securing a Super Bowl title for the Rams.

Kyler Murray reacts to Aaron Donald’s retirement

Kyler Murray also responded to the retirement announcement of Aaron Donald. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback’s reaction on social media provides insight into the impact Donald had on opposing offenses.

Murray expressed his relief at Donald’s retirement in a post on X by humorously stating, “THANK GOD,” accompanied by emojis.

However, in the following post, the Cardinals star showed respect for Donald’s career. He acknowledged the honor of competing against Donald and extended well wishes for his retirement. Nonetheless, Murray couldn’t resist adding a plea for Donald to stay retired, and humorously stated, “plz don’t come back” along with a praying emoji.

Murray’s sentiments reflect the challenges he faced competing against Donald, especially given the intense rivalry between the Rams and Cardinals in the same division. His record against the Rams could be more favorable, with just one win in nine career games.

Donald’s dominance against the Cardinals is evident. He sacked Murray seven times and delivered 11 quarterback hits throughout their matchups. One particular standout performance by Donald in December 2021, when he recorded three sacks in a Rams victory, remains etched in Murray’s memory.

With 16 sacks and 26 tackles for loss in 20 matchups, Donald consistently disrupted the Cardinals’ offense more than any other team. However, Murray and the Cardinals can now breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing they won’t have to contend with Donald’s disruptive presence on the field any longer.