NFL legend Aaron Donald sparks fan concern after posting wild helmet-to-helmet hit with his son
Donald retired last March after an incredible 10 years in the NFL. He was a three-time defensive player of the year, a Super Bowl winner and eight-time All Pro known for his ferocity.
Now, it seems the 34-year-old wants to teach his nine-year-old son, Aaron Jr, a few tricks of the trade - and show him the brutal reality of life in the NFL.
The former defensive tackle this week posted a clip on social media entitled 'Another day at the Donald's (sic).'
In the video, the Rams legend - a father of four - can be seen colliding head-on with his son in the family home. 'Don't be scared! If you can hit me, you can hit anybody,' he tells Aaron Jr., who proceeds to put the ball under his arm and run straight at his father.
'Not the head!' someone - believed to be Donald's wife, Erica - is heard shouting. But Donald - wearing his old Rams gear - invites his son to come again. After the second helmet-on-helmet clash, Donald shakes his head and jokes: 'I feel rusty, huh'
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A post shared by Aaron Donald (@aarondonald99)
He then invites his son to 'go a little harder'. After initially refusing, the child obliges and following a third collision, he grabs his head - much to Donald's amusement.
But the clip sparked concern among some fans, who warned that his son risked giving himself a brain injury at a young age.
'Lil bro gonna have CTE by 11,' one said. 'Jesus Christ is he trying to give his kid CTE before his balls drop,' added another.
'Love this but please don't let that boy get in a habit of leading with his head like that,' said a third,
According to the Boston University CTE Center, 'Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma.
'CTE is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries, which include concussions and nonconcussive impacts.'
On Wednesday, meanwhile, details of Donald's frightening ordeal with an alleged stalker were revealed in newly surfaced court files from Los Angeles County, where the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year admittedly feared for his family's safety and his own.
Donald, who was regarded as one of the toughest players in the NFL before retiring in 2024, filed the restraining order against his alleged stalker in April after what's described in the court filings as years of unwanted harassment by the woman, whom he claims to have never met.
The woman, Janelle Anwar, is accused of sending threatening and harassing emails to the Donald family, according to court files obtained by Daily Mail. The Athletic first reported details of the temporary restraining order request.
Anwar is further accused of sending packages and balloons to Donald's children, and travelled to Pittsburgh where he was holding a football camp, as she confirmed to Daily Mail on Wednesday.
Although Donald claims he's never met Anwar, she nonetheless filed a pair of divorce petitions against him seeking millions of dollars.
Donald also received Google Chat messages from his alleged stalker that he took as a threat against his 3-year-old son, according to the temporary restraining order request.
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