Pitt to Retire Aaron Donald’s No. 97 Jersey
9/22/2025 10:30:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and in college football history, Aaron Donald 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 today.
"It's hard to put into words what it means to have my jersey retired," said Donald. "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!"
Greene personally visited Donald at his home last week to share the news in advance of his enshrinement in the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend. 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.
"Aaron Donald is a proud Pittsburgher who embodies the very best of what it means to be a Pitt Panther," added Greene. "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."
Donald becomes the 11th Pitt player to have his jersey retired. He joins a legendary list of Panthers that includes 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. He was an immediate contributor for the Panthers and over the next four seasons compiled an incredible 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 was an unstoppable force. He 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.
The ground floor of Pitt's Duratz Athletic Complex was renamed the "Aaron Donald Football Performance Center" in 2019, following a seven-figure gift Donald made to the Pitt Football Championship Fund. His donation— the largest ever by a Pitt football letterman—continues to support facility improvements, recruiting, technology, and student-athlete development.
"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 more than delivered on the lofty expectations placed on a top draft choice. Over 10 professional seasons, he became one of only three players in league history to win three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. 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.
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.
What They're Saying...
"I had the privilege—and sometimes the misfortune—of facing Aaron 14 times in his first seven years, and every snap was a reminder of his complete domination. As a Pitt man, I was filled with pride watching him redefine what it meant to play defense, but as an opponent, I knew he was carving his name into history at our expense. He wasn't just disruptive. He was destructive, bending entire offenses to his will and still making plays no one else could make. Retiring his number is the perfect tribute because there will never be another Aaron Donald, and there will never again be another 97 at Pitt."
Larry Fitzgerald
Pro Football Hall of Famer
Former Wide Receiver, University of Pittsburgh
"Aaron Donald is a proud Pittsburgher who embodies the very best of what it means to be a Pitt Panther," Director of Athletics Allen 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."
Allen Greene
Director of Athletics, University of Pittsburgh
"From the time I met Aaron Donald in the fall of 2013 until he stepped away from the NFL after a decorated 10-year career, you could feel his drive to succeed. It's rare to see a player keep that edge every time he played the game. His approach, attitude and ability are what made him special. It was an honor to broadcast games he played for Pitt and the Rams."
Wes Durham
ACC Network/ESPN
Voice of the Atlanta Falcons
"I remember watching Aaron when he was in college, winning the awards I won, and I said to myself, 'Now that's a guy who knows how to play defense like a Pitt Panther should.' He's greatly deserving of joining our group of retired jersey honorees at Pitt. I like that we added another defensive guy!"
Hugh Green
Former Pitt Defensive End, University of Pittsburgh
"Pitt's 58-55 win at Duke on Sept. 21, 2013, their first ACC game, also spotlighted Aaron Donald's dominance. In the first quarter, he blew past a blocker and dropped both the quarterback and running back on the same play—a snapshot of his rare power.
"Afterward, while Tom Savage celebrated tying an ACC record with six touchdown passes, Donald was visibly frustrated. 'We need to work on some stuff,' he said. 'I'm real disappointed letting them score 55 points on us.'
"That was Donald the perfectionist. But later that season, when a reporter limped into the interview room, Donald noticed immediately. 'What's wrong with your foot?' he asked me, his concern genuine.
"Two moments, one player: relentless on the field, compassionate off it."
Jerry DiPaola
Retired Pitt Beat Writer, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"To see what Aaron has become—his career, his life and what he gives back to his community—it makes perfect sense to want to preserve that. Aaron is Pittsburgh. He reflects the toughness and work ethic of his hometown, proving that hard work pays off. No. 97 is the master blueprint."
Pat Narduzzi
Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach, University of Pittsburgh
"AD in a nutshell: I was watching a run-of-the-mill Pitt football game one day in my office leading up to the draft. Kevin Demoff, our COO at the time, pops in, takes a peek and, as he walks out of my office, says to me, 'Nice highlight tape of Aaron.' This sums up Aaron. Whether it was offseason, in-season, weight room, meeting room, practice, preparation or game, AD was a living highlight reel."
Les Snead
General Manager, Los Angeles Rams
"Aaron Donald was a true freshman entering his first training camp. Dave Wannstedt had told me the plan was to redshirt him because he probably needed a year to develop. The first day in pads, Donald was with the scout-team defense and they were going live, full-speed 11-on-11 drills against the first-team offense. The problem was the offense couldn't get any work done because nobody could block Donald. He just kept blowing up every play, run or pass. After one play in which he ate a double-team block and nearly decapitated the running back in the backfield, Wannstedt yelled at the defensive coaches, 'Get him out of there, we can't run anything with him in there.'
"And that is when I knew Donald was going to be a superstar. There were four times in my 20-plus years of covering Pitt that the first day in pads told me everything I needed to know: Larry Fitzgerald, Darrelle Revis, LeSean McCoy and, of course, Donald.
"I had known Donald was a beast because Greg Gattuso told me the first time he watched Donald at Penn Hills. He was a sophomore, and Pitt was there to watch some of the older kids, particularly Dan Mason. Gattuso said by midway through the second quarter he was yelling to Donald, 'You are offered. You have a Pitt offer. You are offered.'
"Dude is an incredible talent—and an even better human."
Paul Zeise
Columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Aaron may have been knocked for being undersized out of high school, but at Pitt he showed why his play made him larger than life. Aaron was relentless, tough, smart, physical and had an unmatched work ethic that gave him an edge over every opponent he faced. As his play took off his senior year, Aaron never was satisfied either. After he had 11 tackles, including six for loss, and forced two fumbles against Georgia Tech in 2013, I asked if that was his best game ever. He said, 'I'm not sure about that. I could have played better.' That performance—and his answer—are quintessential Aaron Donald."
Andrea Adelson
Senior Writer, ESPN
"Back when we played Georgia Tech down in Atlanta, they hadn't allowed a single tackle for loss the entire season. That changed fast. Kevin Colbert, who was scouting the game for the Steelers, told me he watched it closely—and what stood out was how Aaron Donald needed just two series to figure out what Tech was doing. After that, he racked up four tackles for loss against a team that hadn't given up any all year. That, to me, is the ultimate snapshot of who Aaron is—diagnostic, disruptive, and dominant."
Bill Hillgrove
Play-by-Play Voice, University of Pittsburgh
"It was an honor and privilege to watch #97 put the work in and dominate each and every day at the University of Pittsburgh. His leadership, resilience, and passion showed the entire program that anything was possible if you put the work in. He made everyone around him better and set the standard of what it means to be a proud Pitt man. Congratulations to the greatest of all time, Aaron Donald!"
James Conner
Arizona Cardinals
Former Running Back, University of Pittsburgh