Aaron Donald won a total of 17 games in his first three NFL seasons under Jeff Fisher. In the last five years, he’s not only been part of a Rams team that has won 55 regular-season games, but has made the playoffs four times and reached the Super Bowl twice.
Donald has always had individual success on the field, but it’s great to see his team now thriving under Sean McVay, too. And the appreciation he has for that isn’t lost on Donald. Ahead of his second Super Bowl appearance, the veteran defensive tackle shared what it means to make it back to the big game three years after his first trip.
“This time around, I could honestly say you appreciate it that much more,” Donald said, via the Rams’ official site. “Not saying I didn’t appreciate it the first time, but you get there the first time, you’re kind of thinking you’re going to get back the following year, (but) it don’t work like that. Having an opportunity to battle and find a way to get here, you just appreciate it that much more.”
Donald is a major part of the Rams defense, alongside Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey, Greg Gaines and Leonard Floyd. He’s always been a passionate player, but he’s even taken on more of a leadership role in the second half of the season after Miller motivated him to be vocal with his teammates.
“Having them conversations with Von, and certain things he’s telling me to motivate me, and the things he’s trying to do to help not just get me a ring, (but) get us a ring, it’s definitely been special,” Donald added.
The Rams lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, a disappointing 13-3 defeat in Atlanta. This time around, they’ll be at home and taking on the Cincinnati Bengals, who surprised everyone by making it this far.
They’ll try to avenge that loss to the Patriots by beating the Bengals, securing the first rings for Donald, Andrew Whitworth, Eric Weddle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp, among many others. Donald has won just about everything a defensive player can, but winning a championship is something he’s driven to accomplish.
