After wrapping up a successful college career with placing fourth in NCAA FBS history and assisting the University of Pittsburgh with four consecutive appearances in a bowl game, Aaron Donald announced his decision to enter the draft. At that time, he found the Los Angeles Rams to trust him and paved the way for him to start his NFL career.
Hence, the All-Pro defensive tackle harbors a great deal of devotion to the team that initiated him to end the ongoing speculations of joining his hometown team Pittsburgh Steelers amid his trade rumors.
Donald’s surprise revelation on hometown team plans
Like the Green Bay Packers, the Rams are also vying to get a young-player-centered team, prompting speculation to trade their vet player Aaron Donald. The speculation grew more when the defensive lineman submitted a retirement letter to the Rams in May of last season. In addition, his injury, which prevented him from playing in the final few games of the season, has brought about a lot of curiosity.
Nevertheless, as speculations were growing high, identifying the next destinations of the player, his hometown team were the first team to be mentioned when considering his trade.
Amid this, on Thursday, the teammate of Puka Nacaua, was asked if he’s feeling any emotions about playing the Steelers and ending his career in his native town. Donald swiftly responded to the query by expressing zero interest in it.
“Not really. I never thought of it. I never thought about it but no, no.”
During a conversation with his father, Aaron Donald stated his unwillingness to don the Steelers jersey, rather he is looking forward to defeat the Pittsburgh team as he has never beaten the Steelers.
“I was just talking to my dad like last week about playing the Steelers this week. He was asking me, ‘You get to play the hometown, how does it feel?’ I was like, ‘My first year [in 2015], I was excited about it.’ Obviously going back to Pittsburgh [in 2019], it was exciting, but now it’s just like, it’s cool to play against the team that I grew up watching and all that, but it’s just another week. [I] want to find a way to be successful, try to find a way to win this game but there’s not extra excitement this time playing against the Steelers, just another week.”
It’s intriguing because the renowned Rams player, who was punished with a hefty fine this season, acknowledged him as a Steelers fan, and his entire family is packed with Steelers guys. What’s more intriguing is that over this offseason, he regularly worked out near Steelers players.
When did Aaron Donald go to the Rams?
Aaron Donald’s NFL career started under the wings of the Rams after being selected by the Rams in the first round being their 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. The three-time NFL defensive player of the year has remained as one of the vital elements of the Ram’s defensive room since the start of his career.
Per CBS Sports, nine-time Pro Bowler made history in July when he became the first player to ever be a seven-time member of the 99 Club, solidifying his status as an EA Sports Madden NFL great. He beat Peyton Manning to take the EA Sports Madden record with the phenomenal performance. He dominates the NFL in tackles for loss with 160 during his time with the Rams, in addition to topping all defensive linemen with 103.5 sacks.
Even injury failed to limit his performance as in spite of playing only 11 games he totaled 5.0 sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season. Nevertheless, without Aaron Donald, widely considered one of the best defensive players ever, the Rams defensive room will surely experience a great hit if they choose to trade him.
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