On Monday, the NFL's top defensive player in 2018 took a break from his offseason workouts — which are shared almost daily from his social media accounts — to accept yet another award recognizing his record-breaking on-field performance.
In a floral tuxedo, defensive tackle Aaron Donald accepted the co-sportsman of the year honor at the L.A. Sports Awards in Beverly Hills, sharing the award with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.
Donald's league-leading 20.5 sacks set the NFL record for a single-season by an interior lineman, as well as the Rams' franchise single-season sack mark. His 25 tackles for loss and 41 quarterback hits also led the league.
"I just tried to do my job — tried to make as many plays as I can to help my team win," Donald said at the event on Monday. "It's a blessing. Any time you get rewarded for the body of work that you put in you are going to be happy."
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Pittsburgh native has a lot to be happy about following his memorable fifth professional season. Donald was named Sports Illustrated's Performer of the Year, NFL 101's Defensive Player of the Year, Pro Football Focus's Player of the Year and Pass Rusher of the Year, as well as the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season — the league's highest defensive accolade, which No. 99 accepted on the eve of his first Super Bowl appearance.
"To be here, representing the Rams, it's a big deal and I'm just happy to be here," Donald added. "I got the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl, fell short, but the experience, and everything we did as a team, it was a special year."
