PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In November Pitt honored Aaron Donald by retiring his number 97 joining a number of host of Panthers legends. He takes the next step with them on Wednesday as he was announced as a 2026 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Donald becomes the 21st Panthers player put in with the best of the best in college football history. Donald joins Tony Dorsett, Bill Fralic, Hugh Green, Larry Fitzgerald, Marshall Goldberg, Mike Ditka, Jimbo Covert, Joe Schmidt, Dan Marino, Averell Daniell, Tom Davies, Joseph Donchess, Hube Wagner, Mark May, Joe Thompson, Robert Peck, Joe Skladany, George McLaren and Herb Stein.
There are several Pitt coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame as well including Jock Sutherland, Pop Warner, Johnny Majors, Clark Shaughnessy, Len Casanova and Wes Fesler.
A three-star recruit from Penn Hills High School, Donald had a work ethic like few to ever play the game. His senior year alone was legendary. He averaged 2.2 tackles for loss per game leading the nation and finished with 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and a blocked extra point (which determined a 17-16 win against Syracuse). Against Georgia Tech he had six TFLs, two forced fumbles and a sack.
The national honors for Aaron Donald in 2013
• Bronco Nagurski Trophy Winner (most outstanding defensive player)
• Chuck Bednarik Award Winner (defensive player of the year)
• Outland Trophy Winner (best offensive or defensive interior lineman)
• Rotary Lombardi Award Winner (most outstanding lineman or linebacker)
• 1st Team All-American
• National Defensive Player of the Year by Athlon, CBS Sports & Lindy’s Sports
• ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Asked after his number was retired at Pitt what he wanted his kids to know about his playing career?
“That your dad was pretty damn good.”