NFL notable players who retired early: Aaron Donald joins list of those who stepped away in their prime

Aaron Donald made a lot of quarterbacks happy on Friday when he officially announced his retirement from the NFL. Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ standout defensive tackle, retires as one of the greatest players in NFL history. 

How great was Donald? He and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders are the only players in NFL history to play at least 10 seasons and be selected to the Pro Bowl each year (h/t ESPN). Donald was a 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All-Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the Year during his decade with the Rams. 

The 32-year-old Donald is retiring while still being one of the league’s top players. He was named to the Pro Bowl yet again last year while helping the Rams secure a playoff berth. By retiring now, Donald is choosing to go out on his terms, a rarity in pro sports. 

Donald isn’t the only notable NFL player to retire at a relatively early age. Here’s a look at some others.

Andrew Luck 

Andrew Luck made the stunning decision to retire just a few weeks before the start of the 2019 NFL season at age 29.
Getty Images

At 29 years old, Luck said that the never-ending cycle of injuries, rehab, then more injuries led to his difficult decision to retire in 2019 after 86 regular-season games. After not missing a game during his first three seasons, Luck missed nine games in 2015 after sustaining an injured shoulder, a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle. After playing in pain throughout the 2016 season, he missed the entire 2017 after needing multiple surgeries to repair his injured shoulder. 

Luck returned in 2018, enjoying one of his most productive seasons while guiding the Colts to the second round of the playoffs. Luck, who was named to the Pro Bowl last season, was also named the NFL’s Comeback Player of…

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Author : Bryan DeArdo

Publish date : 2024-03-15 18:24:18

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