Pitt to retire Aaron Donald's jersey number when the Panthers host Notre Dame on Nov. 15 | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald (97) in action in an NCAA football game between Pittsburgh and North Carolina in Pittsburgh, on Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Pitt to retire Aaron Donald’s jersey number when the Panthers host Notre Dame on Nov. 15

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Donald’s No. 97 jersey is being retired by the University of Pittsburgh.

The school announced it will retire the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year’s jersey during its game against Notre Dame on Nov. 15.

Donald, a Pittsburgh-area native, starred for the Panthers from 2010-13. The defensive lineman won nearly every major award he was eligible for during his senior year in 2013, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Outland Trophy, while being named an All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

“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,” Donald said in a statement. “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.”

The then-St. Louis Rams made Donald the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft. He spent a decade with the Rams and was an eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler during a career in which he helped the franchise win its second Super Bowl title following the 2021 season. Donald retired in March 2024.

This marks the 11th time in program history the Panthers will retire a jersey. Donald will join a group that includes Hall of Famers Dan Marino (No. 13) and Tony Dorsett (No. 33) and almost certain future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald (No. 1).

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Pitt to retire Aaron Donald's jersey number when the Panthers host Notre Dame on Nov. 15 | iNFOnews.ca
FILE – Former Los Angeles Rams player Aaron Donald watches players warm up before an NFL football game between the Rams and the Houston Texans, on Sept. 7, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles