Pitt to retire Aaron Donald's No. 97 jersey when Notre Dame visits Acrisure Stadium
In 135 years of fielding a football team, dating to the 1890 Western University of Pennsylvania squad, Pitt has retired the numbers of just 10 program alums.
On Monday, the Panthers announced that exclusive club would gain a member. On Nov. 15 against Notre Dame, Aaron Donald’s No. 97 will be retired at Acrisure Stadium, never to be worn again.
Donald, a Penn Hills native who played four seasons from 2010-13 with his hometown Panthers, is set to become the first player in a decade to have his jersey retired, following offensive lineman Jimbo Covert in 2015.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to have my jersey retired,” Donald said in a statement. “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. Hail to Pitt!”
Hard work pays off‼️
Aaron Donald’s No. 97 jersey will officially be retired this fall.https://t.co/eeneFMhkJQ pic.twitter.com/aPIzKwN278
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 22, 2025
Along with Covert, the 34-year-old Donald joins Larry Fitzgerald, Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Marshall Goldberg, Joe Schmidt, Mark May, Bill Fralic, Mike Ditka and Hugh Green.
Donald played 52 games at Pitt, recording 291⁄2 sacks and 66 tackles for loss, winning a host of individual accolades before the St. Louis Rams took him 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
As a senior, Donald was a unanimous All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-ACC and captured the Bronko Nagurski, Outland and Bill Willis trophies, as well as Chuck Bednarik and Lombardi awards.
“Aaron Donald is a proud Pittsburgher who embodies the very best of what it means to be a Pitt Panther,” athletic director Allen Greene said. “His humility, determination and work ethic reflect the character of this community. Retiring his jersey honors not only an extraordinary athlete, but a leader whose relentless pursuit of excellence has defined his legacy. This recognition serves as a lasting tribute to his historic career and a permanent reminder of the standard he set and the impact he made at Pitt.”
There will never be another 97.
Congrats on the jersey retirement @AaronDonald97 ????????@Pitt_FB | @Pitt_ATHLETICS | #H2P pic.twitter.com/UHpZMEbISj
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 22, 2025
In the midst of a highly decorated 10-year NFL career that saw him win three defensive player of the year awards (2017, 2018, 2020), a Super Bowl LVI ring in 2022 and earn 10 straight Pro Bowl selections, Donald never forgot his alma mater.
In 2019, he donated $1 million to the Pitt Football Championship Fund, which, given at age 28, made him the youngest seven-figure donor in university history. He also donated $200,000 in 2022.
As a result of his generosity Pitt had the ground floor of its Duratz Athletic Complex practice facility on the South Side renamed in Donald’s honor.
Donald also remains active in the community, hosting an annual football camp for players ages 6-18 while founding Donna Development Group with his brother and wife, which constructs affordable housing in the Pittsburgh region.
He retired from the NFL in the spring of 2024 at the age of 32.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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