It’s been a little over a year since legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald decided to step away from the game of football, prematurely ending his career after only 10 seasons, many of which he was viewed as bar none the best defender in the NFL.
Donald will be elected into the Pitt Hall of Fame soon and joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss the accomplishment.
“To be saying Pitt Hall of Fame,” Donald said Saturday morning during the interview, according to Audacy. “That’s my stomping ground. This is where I’m born and raised, and that’s where my family is at.”
“I worked by ass off to put myself in the position today to do things like this now. It truly is special. It’s emotional and I get to share these moments with my family, my kids.”
Donald made sure to give credit to his father for the success he’s had on the football field.
“I always tell my dad he prepared me to be a pro before we even knew what it was,” Donald said on the Panthers Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan. “He showed me how to do it and I took it and ran with it. It paid off huge for me.”
Donald also made sure to make it clear that, as much as he’s enjoyed his career, he doesn’t miss the game of football.
“As far as playing football, I don’t miss it,” Donald told Pat Bostick on the Panthers Insider Show. “I don’t even have the passion or excitement to want to play football. I will always love football, but once you lose the passion, it was time to walk away.”