Pitt to Retire Legend Aaron Donald's No. 97
Aaron Donald built a decorated football career collegiately at Pitt and professionally with the Los Angeles Rams, and the honors continue to roll in even after his playing days are over.
The Pitt football program announced Monday morning that it will retire Donald’s No. 97 this season on Nov. 15 when the Panthers take on Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium.
Donald’s 97 will become the 11th retired number in Pitt football history, joining Larry Fitzgerald (1), Dan Marino (13), Tony Dorsett (33), Marshall Goldberg (42), Joe Schmidt (65), Mark May (73), Jimbo Covert (75), Bill Fralic (79), Mike Ditka (89) and Hugh Green (99).
Along with his jersey retirement, Donald is headlining the 2025 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class. The eight-member class will be enshrined at the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Petersen Events Center. A day later, the group will be recognized at Acrisure Stadium during the Pitt-Louisville game.
Donald, a Penn Hills grad, starred at Pitt as a defensive tackle from 2010-13. He was a Unanimous First Team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after leading the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss, along with 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. He also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.
During the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald was selected with the 13th overall pick in the first round by the Los Angeles Rams. In L.A., Donald appeared in two Super Bowls, including a Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2021 season.
He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times, becoming only the third player to do so. He also gathered NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2014, along with being named an eight-time First-Team All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowler.
He retired in 2024 as many believe he will be a unanimous selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he’s eligible in 2029.
Donald finished his professional career with 542 total tackles (337 solo), 111 sacks and 24 forced fumbles.
Offer Alert
The 2025 Pitt football season is here, so take advantage of this limited time offer to sign up and receive all the news and intel surrounding the Panthers. Sign up today — $1 for the first week, plus a complimentary year of access to The Athletic. Click the image below to join!
