There is a reason, or rather several reasons, why former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald does not miss playing football. One of the biggest is simple. He is content in retirement and has fully invested himself in giving back to his hometown of Pittsburgh.

One of the most meaningful parts of that effort is his push to bring affordable housing to the community. For over a year now, Donald has been deeply involved in that project, and this week, he offered a glimpse into that journey.

“Crazy to think a kid born and raised here in Pittsburgh is able to help bring affordable housing to my hometown. Grateful for the journey and locked in on building something bigger,” Donald captioned on Instagram while sharing a clip from the ongoing project.

That initiative is being carried out through his development company, Donald Development Group, which he founded alongside his wife Erica Donald and his brother Archie Jr.

Back in June 2024, Donald outlined the vision. The company’s first project focuses on building 38 units of affordable housing in Wilkinsburg on Hunter Street. Speaking about it at the time, he said:

“I got my own development company that I started with my brother and my wife, DDG (Donna Development Group). Our first project is in Wilkinsburg on Hunter Street, and we have 38 units we’re working on for affordable homes.”

The motivation behind that work is rooted in his story. Born on May 23, 1991, in Pittsburgh, Donald spent much of his early football journey in the same city he is now looking to impact.

He attended Penn Hills High School before joining the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2010. From 2010 to 2013, he built one of the most decorated college careers for a defensive lineman before the Rams picked him with the 14th overall in the 2014 NFL draft.

This is exactly why Donald has taken on multiple initiatives focused on his hometown. For starters, beyond his development work in affordable housing, he runs the AD99 Foundation. Founded in 2019, it tends to support underserved youth through education, mentorship, and athletics.

Alongside that, the NFL veteran also hosts youth football camps that include combine-style training and mentorship. But his role is not limited to funding. He stays actively involved, working directly with local players, taking part in community events, and consistently engaging with youth programs.

Even after his playing career, the recognition has continued. In 2025, the University of Pittsburgh inducted Donald into its athletic Hall of Fame.

“To be saying Pitt Hall of Fame, that’s my stomping ground. This is where I’m born and raised and that’s where my family is at,” Donald said.

Now nearly two years into retirement, Donald has shifted his focus to giving back to the community. And given his impact on the city and his legacy at Pitt, the Panthers honored him by retiring his jersey.

Aaron Donald’s jersey No. 97 is officially retired

It has been over a decade since Aaron Donald left the Pitt Panthers to begin his NFL career. But in November 2025, during a halftime ceremony against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the program honored one of its own by retiring his No. 97 jersey.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to have my jersey retired,” Donald said. “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. 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. I will always love this University.”

A Pittsburgh native, Donald played for the Panthers from 2010 to 2013. During that stretch, he earned unanimous First Team All-American honors and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award in his final season. That run paved the way to the NFL, where he went on to make the Pro Bowl in every season of his career and win a Super Bowl.

Now, he has stepped away from the game and is fully embracing life after football.