Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been a dominant force since entering the league as the 13th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Since then, he has become a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. While he is well in the midst of establishing himself as one of the greatest players in NFL history, he continued to make his mark in franchise lore.
With his sack on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on Thursday night, Donald has now surpassed Leonard Little as the franchise’s all-time sack leader with 88.5, via the team’s official website:
History. Made.
🐐 @AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/nrR2RDncIG
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 8, 2021
It took Donald significantly less time than Little to reach the number as he did it in 32 fewer games. Of course, this hardly comes as any surprise considering he is the best pass-rusher of his generation, despite working primarily from the inside.
The fact that Donald secured the record with a sack on Wilson is fitting since the bulk of his numbers have come against the Seahawks star. It is safe to say that he has come to enjoy his twice-a-year matchups with the Rams divisional rivals.
Aside from his sack numbers, Donald has also registered 20 forced fumbles and 136 tackles for a loss in his career. The 30-year-old still has ample time to increase his mark so that it stands the test of time. Given how much he has meant to this team over the last decade, he has a chance to make it an all-time number that is rivaled by only the best pass rushers in league history.
For now, Donald is focused on adding an elusive Super Bowl ring to his trophy case. Even if his legacy as one of the best to ever do it is solidified, he is motivated to find a way to improve with each season.
Donald’s record-breaking night came in a win as while it wasn’t pretty, the Rams went on the road and defeated the division-rival Seahawks, 26-17.
