Retired NFL star Aaron Donald, who was inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame last weekend, will have his No. 97 jersey retired by the University of Pittsburgh during the Panthers' Nov. 15 game against Notre Dame, Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced Sept. 22.
Donald, who starred at Pitt from 2010-13, retired from football following the 2023 season after one of the most dominant careers in NFL history, mostly as a defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams.
“It's hard to put into words what it means to have my jersey retired,” Donald said, after Greene visited him in Los Angeles to share the news. "Born and raised in Pittsburgh, I'm grateful to the University of Pittsburgh for taking a chance on me when so many others wouldn't. I accomplished more in my career than I ever dreamed of, and for that I'm truly blessed. To soon see my number hanging alongside other Pitt greats is an honor beyond measure. I will always love this University. Hail to Pitt!"
Donald becomes the 11th Pitt player to have his jersey retired. The others include offensive lineman Jimbo Covert (No. 75, 1978-82), end Mike Ditka (No. 89, 1958-60), running back Tony Dorsett (No. 33, 1973-76), wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (No. 1, 2002-03), offensive lineman Bill Fralic (No. 79, 1981-84), running back Marshall Goldberg (No. 42, 1936-38), defensive end Hugh Green (No. 99, 1977-80), quarterback Dan Marino (No. 13, 1979-82), offensive lineman Mark May (No. 73, 1977-80), and linebacker Joe Schmidt (No. 65, 1950-52).
A Western Pennsylvania native, Donald starred at Penn Hills High School, twice earning first-team All-State Class AAAA honors before enrolling at Pitt in 2010. Over the next four seasons he compiled an 66 tackles for loss — the most by an FBS interior defensive lineman (and fourth overall regardless of position) since the NCAA began tracking the statistic in 2000.
As a senior in 2013, Donald led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a blocked extra point. At season's end, Donald was named a unanimous first-team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.
in 2019, following a seven-figure gift Donald made to the Pitt Football Championship Fund — the largest ever by a Pitt football letterman — the ground floor of Pitt's Duratz Athletic Complex was renamed the “Aaron Donald Football Performance Center.”
"It was a dream come true to play for the University of Pittsburgh," Donald said at the time. "My experience as a Panther is something that influences my life every day, and I want to pay that forward. Pitt will always be my school, and I'm honored to be able to support the Blue and Gold."
Selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft (13th overall), Donald became one of only three players in league history to win three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards over 10 seasons. Donald was one of just six unanimous picks for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and helped lead the Rams to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl LVI.
“Aaron Donald is a proud Pittsburgher who embodies the very best of what it means to be a Pitt Panther,” Greene said. “His humility, determination, and work ethic reflect the character of this community. Retiring his jersey honors not only an extraordinary athlete, but a leader whose relentless pursuit of excellence has defined his legacy. This recognition serves as a lasting tribute to his historic career and a permanent reminder of the standard he set and the impact he made at Pitt.”
Beyond football, Donald founded the AD99 Solutions Foundation, which prepares Pittsburgh's underprivileged youth for lifelong success by providing access to quality education, nutrition and community involvement.
— From Pitt Athletics