The Pittsburgh Steelers have often been linked in rumors to try and get Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. It's easy to understand how people connect the dots between Donald and the Steelers. Donald is a native of the Steel City and spent four years at the University of Pittsburgh, playing his home games at what was then Heinz Field. Despite his many links to Pittsburgh, the seven-time AP First Team All-Pro downplayed any notion of coming home to finish his NFL career.
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Aaron Donald during his high school days at Penn Hills High School in east Pittsburgh.
Donald spoke to the media in Los Angeles on Thursday to tee up his team's matchup with the Steelers on Sunday afternoon and was asked about a potential return to Pittsburgh before his career is done. The 32-year-old is one of the greatest defensive tackles in league history besides Joe Greene, and he said he hasn't really put much thought into coming home to finish his career.
"Not really. I've never thought about it but, nah, nope."
Donald said he still has plenty of family that are die-hard Steelers fans and still counts himself as one. He added he follows the team and hopes for the best for them since he grew up rooting for the franchise, but he's no longer a fan of the team in weeks where he has to face them.
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Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is seen here during his collegiate days at the University of Pittsburgh.
Donald has played against the Steelers only twice, due to being in the NFC for his whole career after being drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the 13th overall pick and sticking with the franchise through the move to Los Angeles. He's suffered losses in both games.
In 2015, Pittsburgh visited the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and escaped with a win in a 12-6 slugfest with Le'Veon Bell scoring the contest's only touchdown. In 2019, Donald and Los Angeles traveled to Pittsburgh for the first time in his career. He said it was an exciting experience for him to go back home to play in front of his friends and family. The Steelers came away from the game with a 17-12 win. Rams outside linebacker Dante Fowler, and Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick scored on fumble recoveries. James Washington had the only offensive touchdown for the Steelers, and Donald collected a safety by sacking Mason Rudolph.
Donald said that he still gets a little excited to play Pittsburgh, but it's not the same when the Steelers are playing in Los Angeles. He added it will be nice to have most of his family in the crowd on Sunday, but for him, it's just another game.
Donald Still Has Lots Of Steelers Connections, Even If A Return Is Never In The Cards
Donald still has plenty of connections to his hometown and by extension, his hometown team. He continues to train in Pittsburgh during the offseason at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, which houses the Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers programs. Donald said he is often still around when the Steelers start their offseason activities.
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Aaron Donald celebrates on the field during a game with the Pittsburgh Panthers.
His connections to the city run so deep that in 2022, March 4th was proclaimed by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey as "Aaron Donald Day," to recognize his contributions to the community and Super Bowl victory with the Los Angeles Rams. He's also supported his alma mater with significant financial support. In 2019, he was the youngest person to make a seven-figure donation to the school. After the donation, the football program's daily home and practice facility was renamed in his honor.
Naturally, the media in Los Angeles were interested to see if Donald had any kind of a connection with Steelers second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett who played five years with the Panthers. Donald said that he doesn't really have any personal relationship with him other than supporting him from afar when he was playing for the Panthers.
Donald may never play for the Steelers, but his connections to football in Pittsburgh run deep. Even if he never plays a snap in black and gold, his contributions to the Pittsburgh football community will always be significant.
Are you surprised that Donald said he's never given a homecoming a thought? Would like to see him play in Pittsburgh again before his career is over? Comment below!
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