LA Rams News: All-Pro DL Aaron Donald 3 time DPOY

LA Rams All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald competes each year with the absolute best of the NFL.  To be the best, you have to beat the best, right?

Of course, you may think that I am referring to offensive linemen who line up in pairs, trios, and even quartets to prevent Donald from getting to the quarterback? I’m not.  You may then think that I am referring to his contemporaries, defensive players who earned their own string of awards and accolades. Once more, I’m not.

You see, that would be too easy. And in order to truly amplify the honor bestowed upon him on this occasion, we won’t be taking the easy route.l Aaron Donald doesn’t do things the easy way.

It’s the same story each year.  Aaron Donald works longer and harder to be a much better version of himself. And each year, he seems to succeed. It began in 2014 when the young man earned a Pro Bowl distinction and Defensive Rookie of the Year.  From that moment on, he has been showered with a steady stream of distinctions, awards, recognition, and memorabilia.  And it’s almost become so commonplace that it’s lost its luster.

That could not be further from the truth.

The glory of mountain climbing on Mount Denali or Mount Everest is the sheer joy of reaching a height. A singular breathtaking height that cannot be reached anywhere else on the planet. But to get there, you need to train and prepare vigorously.

Making the climb is all work, there are no intermissions or station breaks to rest or relax. It’s all climbing and surviving. A constant moment by moment battle to go higher.  Even when the goal is reached, there is no pomp and ceremony.  There is a brief event to acknowledge the accomplishment, a photo opportunity, and then the perilous descent to a normal life.

Right now, Donald is making the climb of his NFL career. Each NFL season he trains harder than before, always pushing himself to be the best version of himself. This is not a battle between himself with his opponent. Nor is this a contest between himself and the rest of the NFL.  No. This is a battle of Aaron Donal with himself. He is pushing himself to be the best version of Aaron Donald each season.  And he’s doing exactly that.

When tears streamed down Aaron Donald’s face, it was not a man locked in self-pity. It was the realization that even the best version he can be may not be enough to win the ultimate prize in the NFL.  It was no coincidence that the Rams went all in for QB Matthew Stafford immediately after that moment. You see, commitment and dedication are contagious.  And it appears as though the LA Rams organization is onboard the ‘best version of me’ training program.