Aaron Donald || LEGACY|| Fan Made Documentary

I grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania um and Lincoln liton that's B celebrity not too far from campus you gotta love Pittsburgh it's just it's just it's a football City so and I'm a football and I love football been doing it since I was five six years old SRO will throw and smers is sacked back outside the 15 yd line the ball is loose and IND it's pick it up Aaron Don across the 40 the 50 down the sideline at the 30 the 20 the 10 touchdown Pen Hills Aaron Donald 85 yard on the fumble return and the Indians go up by nine about to walk into my house I was raised in show you the dungeon where it all started at I grew up real lazy so I ain't never used to want to do chore real chunky kid so my dad when I was 12 he like man I'm going to start getting getting you working out so I came down here started working on with my dad start seeing a change in my body and then got addicted to it you were not highly recruited coming out of Pen Hills High School uh does that give you a little bit of a chip right here I wouldn't say that cuz I got the scholarship from pit that was my that my main scholarship I wanted um grew up watching pit all my life so it was a a big deal when I got it so I was excited about it so soon as I got the scholarship I jumped on it and committed so I grew up a quiet guy if you can't tell really wasn't talker so when any time I got the opportunity to go on the football field I was able to express myself and that's how I am now probably the best defensive player maybe in the country that nobody talks about he's as good as they come now I mean you know I've been around some really good players and uh I think he's uh been the next level guy definitely here's Aaron Donald well Aaron Donald when I we first started to see this package I said is he a member of the New Mexico offensive unit because he's been in their back field more than most their running backs have been he's been disruptive he's been dominant at the point he's been Relentless in Pursuit he just split the guard into tackle right there blew inside it really created that opportunity he's got the ability in my mind that he can take over game I think the best predictor of production is what you do and he's he's done it he's put it on on tape so I I think he's a guy that can absolutely play on Sundays play with a chip on your shoulder you look like you're out to prove something I just go out there and trying to play fast I know there's a lot of people that's going to doubt me cuz my size I'm not the the tallest guy but I just go out there and play football trying to do what I can do to help my team to win have you ever seen a work ethic like his especially for a defensive tackle no I mean especially just he pays attention to the detail so he'll go in and work out and then he'll kind of Veer off by himself and go into the training room and do extra shoulder stuff and all that and it's just rare to see nowadays when he comes back from a game he doesn't go home he goes into the film room and watches film for the next week if you could bottom line Aaron Donald what would you say bottom line is I'd love to have him every year I mean he's just an unbelievable person off the field and he's just so humble and works harder than anyone I've ever met Aaron Donald is about being a perfectionist in everything that he does he is the first one to everything he is always there wanting to do it first and the best we play for Pittsburgh welcome to the 19th annual banquet presentation we'd like to thank you for joining us this evening as we honor the 2013 college football defensive player of the year I think tonight we may have the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in all of college football he's a senior defensive tackle from the Pittsburgh Panthers the NCAA active leader with 28 and a half career sacks also love this stat leads the nation in tackles for loss that's extra special for an interior defensive lineman from the University of Pittsburgh let's get to know Aaron [Applause] Donald so after careful consideration we would now like to announce the winner of the the 2013 Bronco nersi trophy can we tell yet Aaron Donald Pitt you're from Pittsburgh went to high school there you played at the University of Pittsburgh I keep hearing that the Steelers defense is old and that they need defense do you have dreams of playing at the next level for your hometown team as well it that be a dream but I just want to get there first so my main goal is to get there so it don't matter where I go I just want to get there so weight lift off your shoulders you know I tried to be tough and try to hold the tears and I just melt it I melt it couldn't believe it man I I'm an NFL football player so something I've been dreaming about since I was five and it came true but I got a lot more work to be because I want to be great so I'm gonna work my butt off and know what I got to do so I'm ready I know I got to start all over earn respect earn trust and I'm just ready to do it a message to pit fans hey hard work pay off man a lot more great people coming out of pit and and held a pit always I want to see this kid play Aaron Donald he had a good game last week Aaron Donald a rookie for pck great penetration throws him for a three yd loss what God oh it ain't do St 3 the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year was on a mission yeah I think Aaron Don's a rising star next year he won't be a surprise to anybody that we play uh the NFL owners tonight uh approved the return of the Los Angeles Rams the NFL is moving back to Los Angeles fans celebrating the Rams return to La next season leaving St Louis though for La they called La home until 19 the Rams the team that bolted Town 21 years ago are coming back it's more than just football it's it's a history it's a a tradition and I started getting all these text messages and all these phone calls from all my friends it's just depressing to see a team that I love to towards all my Sundays for years just leave what did St Louis do that was so horrible that the Rams had to move to LA fans say they will never SK the way Stan cranky move the Rams West back is the LA Rams you find out the St Louis Rams are becoming the Los Angeles Rams the team moves out to LA what was that transition like for you obviously I love St Louis I love all the fans that was there that supported us that supported me um early in my career but um was able to you know transition and go to Los Angeles and create a fan base there and I'm a great base that helped us you know do a lot of great things there 2016 was was horrible was a bad year um he wasn't a good team and that's the year fish up getting fired with some hard knocks it was like it was an embarrassing year I'm no longer your head coach so um just have to say man I love you [Music] guys I think I can look myself in mirror and say I've been there for each and every one of you done everything I possibly can do me a favor finish strong this business is based on wins and losses you got cherish every day when you're not even a competitive team and a team that only win four or five games it's like what are we doing here first of all Aaron Donal is like what do I have to do okay we talking about the defensive player of the year talking about pro football focuses best pass rusher we're talking about someone has 28 sacks in three seasons led the league and quarterback hits at his positions tackle for loss and on and on and on and on so his Beast stems from this look at the organization that he comes from and historically what they have done they have already taken care of Tavon Austin with two years to go picking up his fifth year option giving him a four-year deal worth 42 mil they also took care of Robert Quinn with two years to go four years 57 so he's like man you guys going to take care of these people what what do what do I have to do I love the Rams but I want to win I want to go somewhere I can win so that's like I don't know if I want to even try to you know come back and get a contract with the Rams like you sure I'm like I just don't I just want to win I'm tired of losing to Bringing sea mve in I remember the first time I met sea I remember um it was Tony Les and um Dem off they all called me up they was at the um the fair the Four Seasons as a matter of fact I walk in the conference mood like go your new coach and I'm looking around the room he the young be the youngest head coach in NFL history at the time I looked at I'm like okay ain't no way he's a coach and I looked around like where the hell you at little guy get up walk to me how you doing man what the the Rams have a new head coach it's sea McVey the offensive coordinator from the Washington Redskins exciting time to be an LA Ram we can't wait to go to work roll our sleeves up and figure out a way to consistently give this fan base a winner and a team that they can be proud of week in and week out I'm want to see what this guy can do but um it got to make sense let's get paid still with business at the end of the day um and at end up holding out um was in Pittsburgh training my whole time and that was my first all I year so for me it was personal right I was kind of mad at the organization I'm like what y'all don't want me if y'all don't want me y'all get rid of me send me somewhere that want me please if y'all don't want so I was a little little mad a little frustrated about it we're continuing to try to find a solution and we've got some time until that does come but uh you know we've got to always have contingency plans in place but like I said you know that doesn't change our approach because we're still trying to uh find that solution to get Aaron here and be a part of what we're doing and if not we need to be ready to adjust Rams Fans you can breathe now the Rams just made Aaron Donald the highest paid defensive player in NFL history the team announced this morning they reached a six-year extension Ronald come moris but tonight don't call it a come back M has the snap he's feeling the pressure the ball's knocked out Aaron Donald a strip sack at the 20's got a stiff arm 15 turns the corner Todd Gurley going for the Pyon and throws down the seam it's caught 3530 inside move he launches Sammy Watkins for sideline over the shoulder the they get there Russell Wilson with the pocket crumbling has to spin out of trouble and he throws it backwards out of bounds the 22 yd [Music] line now it breaks down and he ends the game in the arms of Aaron Donald 99 with the sack and the Rams are going home with a win the best guys have it all Aaron Donald is one of those guys that has every aspect you know he's smart he's explosive he's competitive he's given effort every single play and he's powerful so I mean guy has no weaknesses and it's that's a frustrating thing for an offensive line to to go OBS it's turning into the hottest ticket in town these days we're talking about the rejuvenated Los Angeles Rams play action from his own End Zone he winds up and Deals down the middle at the 50 at called int the 2017 Rams reset is underway clocked out of the air intercepted far sideline Lamarcus Joiner a top their division and eyeing a playoff bird for the first time in 12 years years the Rams are [Music] back end up being my first year going to the playoffs experiencing a playoff game that's that break that would change my football mindset that playing Atlanta Atlanta at the col him it was packed it was loud it was rocking in this is the game you've been playing since you were a baby this is the moment you've been waiting for your entire life driving and pushing and into the end zone for the Atlanta touchdown third and five KN the throw to the Ed Zone and it's PED in by Cooper you so the Rams get exactly what they needed a scoring drive he throws the ball down the seat Robert Woods diving inside the time he makes the catch he was down by 13 he's that down by only three so it's 13-1 go play action and that pass is going to be hold my Jones for a touchdown a floater it's an unbelievable throw by Matt Ryan KN R three GF wants to throw shoots it in zone incomplete Samy Watkins and Atlanta will move on to Philadelphia and the 2017 AP defensive player of the year is you said it and Donna wow you know I don't say much but you know just want to thank everybody that you know voted for me gave me this opportunity you know cook M coming in you know changing things around and and being a part of a winning program I appreciate that brought my big brother here with me because know he he trained with me all season you know we had a long offseason you know a lot of lot of things was going on you know but he pushed me kept me focused and you know this is truly a blessing man my dad always told me hard work pay off and to be up here day in front of y'all front of so many great football players and great people man and holding this Trophy this is truly a blessing man and I I truly I'm blessed and honored to have this right now so thank you you know my dad you know pushing me telling me little s to help me taking this to a whole another level to the point where you know guys is looking up to me and I can pass that same stuff that my dad gave to me I remember being a kid and seeing an NFL player and it you know it motivates you and push you just the the presence alone have an opportunity to be here and shake the kids hand be around crack a couple of jokes laugh with them you know you know it's a special things and a blessed position and justful M you on the delay and Aon as soon as he gets the ballio he goes down for a l of I love the man that Aaron has grown into uh I could never imagine that my son will be one of the top players in the NFL I mean anything it's a it's accomplishment so for you know for your peers to think you is is that highly and think you number one in the whole National Football League that's that's pretty special so things that he's given me man can't put a a dollar value on it for my son to win them Awards and stand up in front of the world and let them know that uh I played a big part in his success I mean that was one of the uh alltime highest for me as a father but that's when I realized like this is what you train for backto back DP Y's for Aaron Donald after that season I was like oh I was so hungry to get back to the playoff game and do more now the story line was the investment that the Rams made in their defense cre free agency through trades through the draft they wanted to bolster a group to compliment the offense which led the league in scoring it lets you know they they trying to win it they feel like they're very very close cuz you don't add two players to your locker room one in Marcus Peters who is a young Superstar so when you bring TB in you bring pet Peters in like you are saying it and like let's let's not forget the Rams aren't in St Louis no more they're in Los Angeles rockers and Sue on the outside and then they start moving shells around the problems that that could cause for other teams that might be how they can hide some of the weaknesses and deficiencies now on that second level had a team that Co V called me and was ask me about it and asked how I would feel about it I said said hey if he can come in and do what he been doing and Mak him plays bring him in coach we trying to win a Super Bowl I'm excited to work with him play with him know build a Brotherhood with him so um we going to see from the coliseum in Los Angeles good evening and welcome to the divisional round of the 2018 NFL playoffs cut back to his right he goes in touchdown la they give to Gurley hug Lane Middle the 25 braks left 15 10 Gurley the touchdown give to Zeke and he bulldozes in for a touchdown give to Anderson and he puts it in the pce touchdown LA with the finishing touches the Coliseum erupts the Rams house knows they've got it one down two to go the Rams will go to the NFC Championship Game the weights is finally over the NFC championship game is here the Rams and the Saints since we've been here for 3 years all the work that you put in from the season with Case Keenum until last year having a great year getting bounced out to this point all that hard work you put in the offseason all the late nights all the early mornings are for this this one moment to get you to the dance Donald they're all bouncing they're ready for this time for kickoff let's get it on I dreamed about this I dreamed about this 73,000 plus of Louisiana's loudest have gathered in the Super [Music] Dome left side looking for CS he drops it in the bucket at the 10 he picks his way for a touchdown wide open caught to the touchdown it's Tyler hicky [Music] and it's intercepted picked up at the 47 yd line for a 57 yd try to win the NFC Championship Game the hold is down the kick clears the line and Greg zerline sends the Rams to the Super Bowl we here we here go go but it's not good enough just being here it's time for us to go win it man it's time for us to go win it and Logan everyone a very pleasant good evening and welcome to Mercedes Benz stadium in downtown Atlanta and a Super Bowl 53 between the New England Patriots champions of the AFC and the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams the Patriots have come back to the Super Bowl for the third straight year and for the fourth time in the last five group of men going out to challenge for sports biggest prize they Lombardi trophy but they're just like kids looking up in the stance for their family waving it's time to get the fight started what the Patriots don't have and what most of the other NFL uh teams don't have is a guy like Aaron Donald who you work for right here who you work for all that training you did all everything you do is for this right here come on come on you living the dream how bad you want it how bad you want it how bad you want it hey the big play huh make the big play huh control the aggression control the aggression come on control the aggression control the aggression control the aggression be great be great be great nothing L come on lock in lock in come on come on what you here for what you work for right here what you train for right here come on great you hear me let's be great let's be great let's be great come on come on come on come on you got to want it you got to want it you got to want it you got to want it make a play don't be denied find a way the N find a way find a way what you work for what you train for this what you work for this what you play for come On's Be A Champion Let's Be A Champion Let's Be A Champion I feel come on come on come on come on come on come on come on opening drive of the game second down and seven shun s back to breing looking right all the way he gets rid of it quickly it's tipped up in the air yes intercepted yes yes picked off at the 27 yd line Tom Brady thinks he has a quick hitch your corner jumps it almost gets a pick pops it up goth hit sacked at the 35 he's spun down by three Patriots Trey flowers the defensive end off off to a rocky start and the Rams will punt five wide shotgun snap fourman R from the Rams he throws left side it is tipped and nearly picked coverage breaking down the ball is on the deck he's strip sacked and it looks like the Patriots doine pocket crumbling Brady in trouble he throws right side to no one it's incomplete it's fourth down well Aaron Donald there they they bake the Blitz and Aaron Donald gets a hold of them how get out quick you better do it quick you better 11 yd pickup on Third and n d go e after two quarters of Super Bowl 53 the Patriots have a 3 nothing lead for the first time in the Shawn McVey era the Rams failed to score in the first half our offense over I me Rams have got to feel fortunate to only be down three to nothing welcome back to Mercedes Benz Stadium where the Patriots lead the Rams three to nothing in in Super Bowl 53 it's the fourth quarter biggest game of most these guys lives someone has to make a play left side looking for Gro at the five he brings it inun Sony Michelle through the left side for the game's first touchdown from the 27 of New England Goff throws right side over the top looking for Cooks he's decked at the goal line incomplete he climbs he throws Endzone all alone back of the end zone incomplete to Brandon Cooks 53 yd try for Greg zerline his first attempt this evening and Greg zerline got it believe it okay believe it we going move this down the field believe it believe it one off his back foot he throws the ball right side it's intercepted at the 5 yd line a ball intended for Brandon Cooks that GF put up for grabs and it's picked by Stefan Gilmore tough way to go out if if you're a Rams player Rams in the Rams organization one because you've had such a great season we went to a Super Bowl we lost it was emotional time for me we all know about Aaron and the player that he is but I think this commitment to the University of Pittsburgh and our football program demonstrates you know just his his belief in what we're building here and his belief in the impact that this University had on him and that he wants to have on future student athletes I would have never thought in a million years that my my name would be on anything like this so um you know to see that and see it now you know it really can't put it in words I don't think you could put a price tag on that you know Aaron Donald being University of Pittsburgh former student athlete resonates with all recruits you know I think again this being such an important place to him giving back was inevitable I mean like he's everywhere Aaron my last first round pick the NFL draft kind of the front entrance of our players enter here and they walk right in here every day and they see his mug his picture included this just cuz that's what he is hard work pays off the two main parts of our our guys day when they leave the building and when they enter the building they're seeing him and that was kind of the that was the biggest thing about this for I think for him was being able to cement his legacy and impact the future generations of people and players that come here well that's har to me you know all my family's there you know um I've been there all my life you know I I ain't leave there till I got drafted you know that that's always going to be home to me you know and I always find my way back there no matter what P did a lot of things for me they they gave me opportunity when a lot of teams a lot of schools didn't you know a lot of schools was saying you know I don't think he he's having success in high school but I don't think you can translate it in in in college because you know you're not the biggest defensive tackle so you know they took a chance for me and they helped mold me into Who I Am from a football aspect that you know they they helped build me up as far as you know on the field and off the field so to to give something back to help the future you know football players it just it's a small token for what they did for me fortunate at pit we've had a lot of really good players play in the NFL but I would say none of them been more synonymous with what pit is grit toughness work ethic little bit of an underdog I think that's perfectly described my dad told me hard work pay off and you know I'm just P that body working and and you know staying true to myself good things came out that and it's coming out that so um you know just a blessing in six NFL seasons he's earned just about everything Rookie of the Year TR Bowl accolades multiple Defensive Player of the Year honors he's led the NFL in sacks shattered franchise records and reached a Super Bowl he's been voted the number one player in the sports but 90 games into his NFL career Aaron Donald has never enjoyed the opportunity in front of him this weekend to play in his hometown against the Pittsburgh Steelers from the wait room in his childhood basement to the one that now Bears his name at the University in week 10 one of Pittsburgh's greatest athletes returns with his Rams I'm pumped up about that my first time back home playing in hfield since I was you know a p Panther so um coming back home and playing in front of my family and and in in a city where I was born and raised and I definitely got that marked on the calendar and I'll be ready for that [Music] so it's a fumble on the Hop Dante F picks it up at the 20 he will walk it in a non offensive touchdown and let's go d let's go James Washington in the r territory left side 35 he's fumbled it was stripped Cory Littleton picks it up big play boys big play Big [Music] Play Back That Ass Up H we can score right here if okay in week 10 Mason Rudolph is under Center Tre Edmonds is tail back couple of tight ends and exra linan in the game A Hard Play Fake he's under arrest he's going down Aon Donal picks up his safety welcome home 899 so little not this way not this way Edon tries the right side and Aaron Donald gobbles him up again another tackle for loss I feel good to be like home playing you know outome what we wanted luy man you're a hell of a player man out there I was going for improvement but I felt like overall you know I I was proud of the way the defense played so this is your third Defensive Player of the Year award which puts you in company with Lawrence Taylor and JJ Watt what are your thoughts on that uh well you just named you know two great defensive players so um anytime your name is mentioned with greats um you're going to be honored um definitely win you know there's only a few that accomplish something like that so be the third to do it um it's truly a blessing um you know it it shows the body work that I P in anytime you know um your hard work is rewarded you know you going to be happy about that so it's just a blessing um wow I I I don't even I don't even have the words to describe this guy um personally to me I think he's the best to ever do what he's done one guy we talk about year after year with everyone is Aaron Donald I mean just what can you say about him he's a handful on that last one you know you did strong ass tr get your little strong ass out you know a who would you say is number one in top 100 Aaron Donald what's your number one overall player Aaron Donal I say that with a straight face Aaron Donal you can look at all the positions on the field however you want dress it up nobody's more dominant at their position than him running Aaron Donald it's a common knowledge that he will wreck the game uh I think he's the best defensive player that this game has ever seen his physical dominance his technique his power his strength his speed his quickness I mean there are no flaws in his game he has the disruption of an edge guy but he does it right in the middle of your offensive possession they give to gore he's gobbled up by Aaron Donald nobody can block him the moment you think you can just get big on him and be big he's going to right past you he's gone he gets off the ball so fast and he's so strong he just manhandles offensive lineman you can't block a one onone I don't know why people try to whenever any player speaks about him it's like a special person like they've never seen yeah yeah I mean that's what he is yeah he got the CP hey man Aaron Don don't he don't talk no I tried to you know say what's up figure he he don't he don't like me in the middle of the 20121 season the Rams alltime sack leader learned that his team was interested in making the Broncos all-time sack leader his teammate Sean came up to me was like how would I feel if if it's this reality we can probably get Von Miller he looked at me you think I can help you I said hell yeah that can help me why would you mean please bring him here yes Von Miller headed to the a deal with the Broncos in which the Rams gave up more draft picks now they give up their second and third round picks for this upcoming draft this Rams team they want to win now right they don't care about those draft picks are trading away well first of all if you're not trying to win I don't know what you're doing you know um I think everybody's philosophy should be let's win now once I see the come full circle he came here man I was pumped up you know I just knew the talent we already had and then add in pieces like you know Avon Miller Odell Beckham the waight is over though ojel Beckham is headed to the Rams he's joining a team made of stars that is now Double Down double down and double down again on this season if the narrative was that the Rams season would not begin until the playoffs then I guess the season begins tonight it's an NFC West showdown on a Monday night in Inwood in the wildcard round touchdown obj here comes the blit go go Cooper toop makes the catch to the touchdown and the Rams are blowing it open in the divisional round against the defending Champions the Rams did everything they had done all year no look passes boots out to the left looking short poed at the five and into the end zone it's Kendall Bandon getting the ball to Cooper cup big throw down the right side Cooper Cs on the load he caught it at the 30 to the 20 touch inside 10 five touch down coer and unleashing Aaron Donald and Company in the third quarter Los Angeles had a 27-3 lead he wasn't ready for the snap it's Spilled Out to Midfield a race of the football four fumbles by Los Angeles fueled the Bucks comeback Brady from the pocket once more launches deep down the right side looking for Mike Evans he's got it at the 10 and it's a one SC game do you believe what just happened no Tom Brady does it again with 42 seconds to play Tampa Bay tied the score I was shocked I was on the sideline looking around like what like what the hell is going on I I I couldn't believe it you know but one thing we kept saying man ain't no way we going to lose this ain't no way we going to let this team come back and win this game game on the line time for one drive deep down the right side he's got cck running down the hash mark he reels it in at the 15 he stood in the Propet he took a big hit Matt gay with 4 seconds on the clock will attempt a 30yd field goal from the left hash hits it with the right foot kick on its way it is through it is good M gay brings it home Los Angeles will host the NFC championship game here we go it's the NFC Championship Game the Los Angeles rants the San Francisco 49ers anytime anywhere you need to say no more I hate the ners with a passion like I hate them and then when you keep losing it's like I know we I feel like we we're a better team I don't understand they just had our num so for me I was mad right side it's juggled it is intercepted taken away by Jimmy Ward and he gets into the end zone for a pick six all right this is getting to be a habit to the end Z caught touchdown San [Music] Francisco They sweep the Rams for the third year in a row ners win n OT and La making sixth straight against the Rams six stri holy cow Aaron Donald got what he wanted to go to the Super Bowl he and the Rams would have to beat the 49ers and on this day Donald's voice would be heard it's versional man it's personal you got to keep you got to go through the 49ers you got to go through your biggest rival you got to face all your fears and fix all your flaws 18th play of the drop Stafford throws right to the end zone Cooper cup touchdown LA right throws dvo tunnel screen block from Jennings breaks a tackle dvo Samuel 20 touchdown Deo 54 yds from the right patch Matt gay hits it with the right foot it's right all the way it is no good and so the Rams come up empty with one50 to go that gives the ners a chance to double dip snap back pull down gold sends it away and it is good it gives San Francisco a 10-7 lead going to the halftime locker room here's Jimmy P throwing for George kennel wide open he's got it George Ken makes the catch in the back of the kettle had just caught a touchdown on us and I remember aan Robertson coming to me like man we flat man we need you we need you you got to say something and I'm mad I'm like I'm mad I felt like we did too much to get to this point we're not losing to this team again we're not it was just more about B up one game up up I made sure I looked around on everybody's eyes when I was talking to him to let him feel that everything I was saying was real you look at my eyes my eyes probably watering a little bit over there cuz it was like like this mean something man it got to mean something to you just got to mean something to you just got to mean something how you got you got and I think that Von Miller being around gave Aaron the confidence to believe that my voice should be heard to get to we need to get to you know it's about leadership you know and and that's what I learned you know leadership and and my voices is is is powerful let's finish it let's finish it come on this is the moment right here let's go this is the moment this is why you're here I dream for moments like I visualize moments like that when I'm training when I'm working when I'm pushing myself just to be in that moment and and be there and and live it out come on man I'm destined for this this is what you wanted the spot in Super Bowl 56 on the line like I said Big Time Players sh from Big Time game and know my dad told me that all my life indeed they do and in this game Aaron Donal the man who finally found his voice got the last word snap back to Garo pocket crumlin he spins out he's hit he's wrapped up he Flip It Forward it's tip it's intercepted it's intercepted I want to play the ners we beat the ners it's like ringy come on man I'm going go get this ring I remember Jimmy G kind of like studed and try to run away and I remember grabbing him I remember swinging at the ball missing I remember just throwing the ball up and I remember was just looking like please somebody just make something happen the greatest defensive player on the planet comes through in the clutch Aaron Donald this moment was for you it was one of the moments like you got to P your arms out like we we we going to the Super Bowl we going to the Super Bowl good good we got one more game we got one more game one back in the Super Bowl and I promise you we ain't losing this one cuz ain't no way I'm going to Super Bowl and losing another one finally the Super Bowl has come back to Los [Music] Angeles it is time for all of us here and millions around the world to Bear witness to these incredible players who will leave every ounce of sweat guts and pride and Legacy on this hallow field because that is what Champions do ladies and gentlemen it is my honor to say finally it is time for the Super [Applause] Bowl it ain't nothing we ain't did before we here man we got to take advantage of it let's dominate dominate let's go dominate on three 1 2 three Dominate and knowing that this day was coming every single moment of the ram season has been animated by this possibility a chance to play in the final game of the season well here it is one win away from a world championship he's at right side looking for Odell Beckham Jr he high points the football and has the six touchdown obj it's 7 nothing Rams and are second and four from the Bengals 10 a roll right Cooper Cuts in The End Zone Stafford sees him back pylon caughts the most complete receiving season in NFL history now includes a Super Bowl touchdown two nice [Music] job little toss here mix is going to throw open man caught hins touchdown trick play in the red zone and the Bengals find their first touchdown obj goes down with a left leg injury now all that coverage is going to shift to Cooper cup and we go to the break with the Rams in front 13- 10 over [Music] Cincinnati and just like that a 75 yd touchdown 38 yd attempt for mcferson he's been perfect in postseason and stays that way Cincinnati 20 La 13 through that third quarter we just needed to stay the course keep pushing we ended up sputtering out a lot offensively in the second half the Rams answer with a field goal a strip sack inside the five pocket crumbly burrow will have to eat it again game winning drives to the Rams does he have enough this is going to be your game winner right here buddy got it touchdown yes yes Matthew Stafford's done it again what a drive in a precious situation I don't know if I have ever seen anybody be better than Matthew Stafford and Cooper cup ground and close Aon Donald not letting py fall forward for that first down for the world championship right here I'm just trusting the guys he got out there you know trusting that we was going I'm we going to find a way I was going to find a way to make that happen less than a yard to gain on fourth down with 43 seconds remaining Rams creepy they rush for burrow to throw for it he's hit he flings it away on fourth [Applause] down you can build that man statue out so by Stadium right now rings for the Rams I remember grabing I said ain't no way in the world that I did this for a second time we just did this against the 49ers I remember grabbing him and swinging him but he remember him tossing the ball up in my heart dropping like please don't catch it I remember incomplete remember just looking at this at the sideline just doing this running emotions took over from me I'm like this is it this is the I just made to play against like this is the to be world champions I'm like I was like oh this this is crazy you know I became a world champion that's something that you remember forever you about to have me cry like it it get emotional because it means something to me I really do you know I really work so hard you to me I listen God you talk about being better me I listen you he my voice I listen the world bro every time I watch the repeat of the Super Bowl my eyes tear up you know I still get the chills watching it do so happy I'm want this so bad I dream this man I dream this and it's like it's surreal look at this being in that moment it's nothing like it the reality is so much better than the dream it really is remember my daughter was 5 years old you know our first Super Bowl I promised that we'll be able to play in the confetti one day and I fell short that year I always promised I said you going to get the opportunity play the confetti World Champ I love you been here 8 years a lot of ups and downs so to see it come full circle you know all that hard work you put into this game that's what it's for did you dream of Super Bowl champion uh you know Defensive Player of the Year three times eight time Pro Bowl honestly I just dreamed about getting to this point I like you know my dream was always to make it to the NFL but it yeah when I tell people like this is like surreal to me I'm living a dream I really mean that because like you know a lot of people say he the biggest guy he ain't this he ain't that but I just played I I'm going let my my game speak for me and the things I've been able to accomplish through you know just through football you know it's like it's crazy look at thato in my head I'm like if we want a Super Bowl am I going to cry I'm like ain't no I ain't going to cry so on the sidelines I'm like we want we they said all the confa Fetti came down but the Rams were built to win the Super Bowl and they have sealed the dealer and my dad always talking about hard work payoff and as a kid you like okay Dad when you start seeing that actually pay off for you and seeing the outcome of just doing that the work behind closed doors nobody see and really put an effort in and see like the outcome that come with [Music] that when I came into NFL I was always a guy that was like I don't want to play Forever I want to be in and out and leave you know like Barry Sanders on I always said I'm a Barry Sanders to leave and leave at my at my at still at on top and people like why are you retiring now like you know leing my own terms that's pretty much what I wanted to do and I always said I'm retire eight years I always said that before my my second year in the league my first I'm like I'm play eight years and be done I end up winning the Super Bowl my eighth year and I'm like goly like this is like Destiny this is supposed to be like this and I was like that's it you know but um talking to Sean he kind of you know talked to me and but it was like experience in winning the Super Bowl was like it's like it's it's hard to walk away from after the winning the Super Bowl you want to experience that again cuz that's like the ultimate high like winning the defensive player of the year is cool it's a blessing all Pros is a blessing it's cool but that team success being the last team standing you got Mayweather flying you on his jet to his birthday party got all people calling you hey you want to come pull up like it's a it's different it's a different type of exper um experience man that I never got the experience and it was like you kind of get addicted to it you know it's like I want to feel that one more time I just want to feel the confetti falling on me one more time and you know so I talked to Sean and we was able to figure it out and from a business aspect and um we got to it was was you know Mutual from both sides and you know chose to come back for two more years but um did the two years and getting hurt that um my first time ever getting hurt in football was was that 2022 um it was yeah that 2022 so that was my first year in my whole life my whole career ever getting injured having surgery couldn't had to sit down for weeks I'm like this is like it went I was a little depressed age then you know it was tough so you know that was my main thing going into this season was just to go back to the how I was as a kid just enjoy playing football again you know that's what it was started the game hey everybody just ate that game like Hoy got a sack I got sack Kobe ad everybody we just having a party bro like it was just it was just Good Vibes bro it was just like that was probably like P start went like tutu went off like everybody just went off and it was just like I don't know man they St what they St what your defensive coordinator said we may surprise a lot of people on Sunday but we're not going to surprise anybody in this team what did you know about this defense that the rest of us didn't um that we was going to fly around guy was going to make plays and um do we did today you know we did that all Camp um guys show um when I talked to you like I said um I seen a lot of good things that practice now we got translated on Sunday and we did that so um it's it's a good first start we ain't there yet we got to keep working keep getting better don't be satisfied but it was a great start I was proud how this last season even came to fruition for me it's like had a bunch of young guys where I didn't know what to expect you I didn't even expect us to be the team he was and I had a I had a fun year like I got tojoy every moment of that year to watch the young guys grow and become the guys of the team and have success and I feel like I was able to help a lot of young guys to you know become the players they was and um just watch the organization grow and help the organization grow to what it was to what we became from a team that went four games to a team that want a Super Bowl to become a team that is a respected team in this league and um but you know after that Detroit game walking off the field you know I'm usually after a loss a playoff loss I'm usually guy that's going to be mad don't talk to me don't look at me but I walked off the field with a smile on my face like just taking it all in I remember waving at you blowing kisses at y'all waving at the fans hugging coach Henny talking to K walking off walking before we walk in the locker room giving Sean with a big smile a big hug he said that's it I said that's it we have breaking news Aaron Donald damn is retiring yeah yeah what no no way and you know I kind of I was at peace with it you know I wasn't I wasn't mad I wasn't I was proud how them guys played I was proud how this last season even came to fruition for me it's like was one of them things where you just know you know it wasn't like second guessing it it was no second guess in it it was just at peace what remember in the locker room taking my stuff off eyes water the last time I take my shoulder pads off with my jersey on it again I'm like wow remember getting on one knee take my un tiing my Spike and just dang just looking around like this the last time I'm going to ever do this my eyes just start watering I'm like oh my gosh like just I'm just taking every moment in cuz it was like it was special to me because I knew you know so he had kind of been hitting at it throughout the season and then I found out um a little bit earlier so um you know I kind of had already he had already been um expressing kind of how he felt about it and I remember even after the Detroit game I'm like torn up I'm emotional and he's just smiling he's like y'all got a lot of great football left to play the somber news came out this morning that Aaron Donald is abruptly retiring he's done so I'm I'm shocked I still don't believe it uh if he's done then salute um in my opinion nobody better just wanted to say congratulations on retirement and really more so congratulations on an unbelievable career uh it was such an honor to showare the the field with you really showed us the way dog so I'm I'm super super appreciative of your example um and just congrats on an incredible incredible career man the the football world will not be the same without you but um we'll definitely be seeing you and Kenton in about 5 years what's up brother I love you man World champs for life don't you ever forget it I'm so proud of you man what a journey what a ride you set the tone of what competitive greatness is Aaron Donald Tory Holtz here man wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful wonderful Hall of Fame career with the Rams we greatly appreciate you man all the best to you I'm happy to be your teammate now as a Rams Legend B Markus put into words now that you've had a little bit more time to think about it what we witness from Aaron Donald yeah I think we take him for granted I think we have do you have dreams of playing at the next level for your hometown team as well I'll be a Dream from true but I just want to get there first so my main goal is to get there so it don't matter where I go I just want to get there so you were not highly recruited coming out of Pen Hills High School uh does that give you a little bit of [Music] a waiting left off the shoulder you I tried to be tough try to hold the tears and I just melted I melt I couldn't believe it man I I'm an NFL football player so something I've been dreaming about since I was five and it came true but got a lot more work to I want to be crazy work my but off what I got to the 2017 AP defensive player of the year is you said it andar Donal you know I don't say much but you know just want to thank everybody that you know voted for me gave me this opportunity brought my big brother here with me because know he he train with me all offseason you know this is truly a blessing man my dad always told me hard work pay off and to be up here there in front of yall in front of so many great football players and great people man and holding this Trophy this is truly a blessing man and I I truly I'm blessed and honored to have this right now so thank you Donald going to make 10 years um 10 Pro [Music] bowls got pressure Ono eight all Pros three defensive 30 years is there a better place to win a Super Bowl than La no other place better better than this man ain't nothing like it best thing in the world we're talking about the defensive play of the Year 28 sacks in three seasons led the league and quarterback hits at his positions tackle for loss and on and on and on and on Aaron Donald is one of the greatest players we've ever seen dreamed about getting to this point I you know my dream is always to make it to yeah when I tell people like this is like surreal to me I'm living dream just a HomeTown kid that's doing good