OLB Jared Verse had to workout with All-Pro DT Aaron Donald because . . .

Jared Verse meets the original All-Pro

LA Rams DROY Jared Verse did not challenge Aaron Donald as a publicity stunt. At least, not entirely. From the moment that Aaron Donald announced his retirement, the news triggered disbelief in some fans' minds. An enclave of Rams fans gathered to make the case that if the team managed to return to the NFL Playoffs without him, Aaron Donald would return to the team and help to carry them through the postseason in a fashion similar to that of formerly retired DB Eric Weddle.

But the Rams did earn the right to compete in the postseason. Aaron Donald did not unretire.

All the while, rookie edge rusher Jared Verse had stepped up to become the lightning rod of this defense. He was the defender who became incensed when visiting Minnesota Vikings fans seemed to celebrate the injury to a teammate, DB Kamren Curl. The Vikings had scored 14 points quickly. But after SKOL chants filled SoFI over a shaken-up Curl, Verse erupted.

Verse loves to poke the bear. He openly stated disliking Philadelphia Eagles fans before the Rams returned to face the Eagles on the road in a snowstorm. The gamble nearly paid off, as the Rams put up a valiant fight in that contest.

But taunting Rams legend Aaron Donald was a different category of challenge. This was not about the football field. Jared Verse was entering the Lion's Den, the weight room that was built to Donald's specifications. And that site also served as Aaron Donald's temple, a place where he would maintain his power and physique with a disciplined routine that he had grown to develop and master over many years.

And Jared Verse, true to his word, entered Aaron Donald's weight room to work out with the master.

Aaron Donald retired on a high note. He is as powerful as ever. To be fair, the NFL is only one aspect of his life, and it certainly powered Donald to fund his other endeavors. Aaron Donald is active in giving back to the community. He is active in marketing his clothing line. He has become more than an entrepreneur. He is as much of a force in business and philanthropy as he was in the NFL.

And with the Jared Verse challenge, he had the opportunity to leverage all of the eyes and popularity of the NFL once more. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of Jared Verse.

Aaron Donald seemed to be as fresh as a daisy, while the post-workout imagery and footage of Jared Verse showed an exhausted and spent young man.

The legend lives on. The aura and mystique of Aaron Donald continue to grow, just as everyone expected. But was there more to the story?