Entertainment
Aaron Donald is retiring from the NFL after a standout career with the Rams
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Aaron Donald spent 10 years flattening quarterbacks, crushing ball carriers, fighting constant double-teams and customarily destroying NFL offenses. He was tenacious, reliable and endlessly resourceful, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl championship.
On Friday, Donald decided that a decade of dominance was enough.
The most talented defensive lineman of his generation has retired after an illustrious 10-year career.
The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his slightly surprising announcement on social media. He doesn’t plan a retirement news conference or any public farewell, but his impact on the Rams and the NFL is already indelible.
Donald, 32, has spent his entire career with the Rams, who chosen him from Pitt in the first round of the draft in 2014. The Pittsburgh native was named to 10 Pro Bowl first teams and eight All-Pro first teams and won the award as the league’s top defensive player in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
“Throughout my entire career, I have given everything to football, both mentally and physically. I dedicated 365 days a year to becoming the best possible player I could be,” Donald said in a statement. “I respected this game like no other and I’m blessed to complete my NFL career with the same team that drafted me. Not many individuals get drafted into a team, win a world championship with it, and retire with it. I do not and won’t take it with no consideration.”
Although Donald was smaller than many top defensive players, he used his incredible athleticism and playmaking ability to wreak havoc on offense throughout his career. He was a cornerstone of each Rams defense during his tenure, drawing regular double teams from his teammates and still racking up a career-high 111 sacks, which ranks third in the NFL amongst lively players.
After winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2014, Donald reached the height of his fame after relocating the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to Los Angeles in 2016. In 2018, he had a career-high 20 1/2 sacks en path to his first Super Bowl appearance under coach Sean McVay.
He went on to play a major role in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory three years later, with his most famous performance being the pressure that forced Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow to make an incomplete throw to linebacker on the last play of the Bengals’ victory in Los Angeles by 23: 20 in the game against Los Angeles. Super Bowl 56.
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After that break, Donald provided one other defining moment in the Rams’ championship season by taking off his helmet, pointing to his ring finger and shouting, “Call me!” His joyful shirtless ride on a double-decker bus during the Rams’ victory parade in Los Angeles is also an iconic moment in the team’s history.
“Great players in our league uplift those around them, and Aaron has led the way for our team for as long as I have been with the Rams,” McVay said in a statement. “He is an elite competitor, someone who leads by example in a way that is authentic to himself, and an exceptional teammate who inspires everyone around him to be the best version of themselves.”
Lawrence Taylor and JJ Watt are the only remaining players to win the Defensive Player of the Year award 3 times. Only John Randle (137 1/2) has recorded more defensive sacks than Donald since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Although he spent most of his time away from football quietly living with his wife and 4 children, Donald’s obvious greatness and McVay’s coaching acumen are two of the most vital aspects in the Rams’ rise in the Los Angeles sports hierarchy since the team returned home. During McVay’s seven years with Donald, the Rams racked up six winning seasons, five playoff berths, three NFC West titles, two Super Bowl appearances and a ring, while winning over many skeptical fans in the nation’s second-largest market.
Under the terms of a contract renegotiated almost two years ago, Donald was expected to earn greater than $34 million this season. Although Donald has reportedly been privately flirting with retirement over the past two seasons, the Rams and Donald haven’t publicly acknowledged that his departure is a real possibility.
But in the last two months, Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Raheem Morris left to grow to be head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and line of defense coach Eric Henderson left for a similar job in Southern California. Henderson and Donald are close friends.
“We are very grateful for Aaron’s commitment to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field for the past decade,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said. “He left his mark on generations of soccer fans, and his achievements, combined with his work ethic and passion, continue to inspire his teammates, coaches and athletes around the world. It is an honor to witness one of the greatest players of all time, and we are proud that Aaron Donald will forever be a part of NFL history as a member of the Rams.”
Donald’s off-season training program was extremely demanding, but he spoke of his love for it due to the work ethic instilled in him by his father, who transformed Donald from a self-proclaimed “lazy little kid” into a dynamo. Donald returned home to Pittsburgh during the Rams’ offseason, understanding at Pitt’s Aaron Donald Football Performance Center – made possible by a seven-figure donation to his school.
Donald had 543 tackles in his career, including 176 for loss and 24 forced fumbles. In 11 career postseason games, he has 34 tackles and 6 sacks.
Donald was also incredibly durable, missing only six games because of injury in his 10-year career – all late in the 2022 season, when the Rams were already out of the playoffs.
“He had so much to say,” said defenseman Bobby Wagner, Donald’s 2022 teammate. “The most vital thing was watching him work, watching him practice. Few D-line players have truly put in the work each in the film room and on the field. He could have achieved a lot in his career, he had an incredible career and I can not wait to see what the future holds for him. Great man. Amazing player. One of the biggest.”
There is just one player left on the Rams’ squad, who also played for St. Louis: Rob Havenstein, who is still the Rams’ starting right fielder.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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