The Rams sorely are missing the presence of legendary defensive star Aaron Donald against the Miami Dolphins, though Los Angeles had a simple remedy: Show the legend on the big screen.
SoFi Stadium boasts an impressive overhead display, with massive screens inside and out, showing an almost 360-degree view of the action. Oftentimes, the display will show fans enjoying themselves and taking in the sights.
The Rams needed a defensive spark on this particular night as the Dolphins seemingly diced them up early in the first quarter. To get the fans riled up for the matchup, Los Angeles did the next best thing: Show Donald on the screen.
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In the first quarter, as Los Angeles was displaying fans on the video board, the Rams showed the former defensive lineman, eliciting a massive applause from the crowd on hand. Once the 33-year-old saw himself on screen, he did his best to pump up the fans in SoFi Stadium.
It appeared as if the Rams needed the boost as early in the game, Los Angeles allowed star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins to march down the field to score. However it wasn’t Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle who scored, but rather Malik Washington.
With the Rams down early, the fans needed a boost to get the energy back for the defense. And who else better to give the Rams the defensive push it needed than one of the best defensive players of all time?
Malik Washington and the Miami Dolphins were on the board early in the first quarter (
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Fans clearly still held the defensive star in high regard, as Donald was an integral part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning squad against the Cincinnati Bengals at Super Bowl LVI. After the championship, the star contemplated retirement but elected to return for a handful of seasons.
That said, Donald decided to call it quits after the 2023 NFL season, amassing a 10-year career in the league. Though many figured he would return, considering he was still physically dominant, the star made it clear he was done with the league.
When he retired in March, Donald explained why he decided to hang up his cleats even though he was still an imposing presence. In a video, the 33-year-old appeared to be at peace with his decision.
“I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me,” he said at the time, per the LA Times. “I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17[-game] season, I just don’t got the urge to want to push myself to do that no more.
“I’m just, I’m burnt out, you know. If anything, the best way to say it is I’m full. I’m complete.”
Along with Donald, Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James were also in attendance.
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