Aaron Donald and Andrew Whitworth bring NFL expertise to 200+ student athletes

Former NFL star Andrew Whitworth and current Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald joined forces in mid-2026 for the next generation of football players. They came together to create an opportunity for the young athletes to learn directly from them. Donald and Whitworth are the most accomplished linemen in the NFL.Their “Built in the Trenches O-Line/D-Line” camp gathered more than 200 student-athletes between grades 4 and 12 for a free day of football instruction, mentorship, teamwork, leadership, discipline, and character development.Aaron Donald and Andrew Whitworth’s Built in the Trenches supports AD99 Foundation’s youth missionThe Built in the Trenches camp also fits within the broader youth-focused mission of the AD99 Foundation. The AD99 Foundation was established by Aaron Donald and his wife, Erica Donald [nee Sherman], in June 2019.The nonprofit supports young people from underserved communities through educational, athletic, and arts initiatives. The foundation has thoroughly expanded its programming around athletics, mentorship, and opportunities for youth.In May 2026, the organization announced the Team Donald NIL Mentorship & College Transition Program. The program helps graduating high school athletes prepare for college athletics through NIL education, mentorship, financial education, and professional development.The Built in the Trenches O-Line/D-Line camp similarly emphasized development beyond football.The camp took place at the Los Angeles Rams practice facility and particularly focused on the fundamentals and techniques of playing the offensive and defensive lineman positions.Built in the Trenches focuses on football fundamentalsThe young players got more than just conventional football drills. They learned about hard work, confidence, leadership, accountability, and work ethic, which define success on and off the gridiron.They got to learn all that in depth from NFL legends Aaron Donald and Andrew Whitworth, current and former NFL players, and experienced youth football coaches who offered them insights that could develop their skills beyond the gridiron.The camp’s central focus was offensive/defensive line play. This is an area of football that often attracts less attention compared to the quarterback, wide receiver, and running back positions.The duo, who played together in Los Angeles, used their extensive experience on opposite sides of the line to provide perspective on the demands of offensive and defensive football.Their combined experience made the Built in the Trenches camp a natural setting for teaching young athletes about technique, preparation, and the mental and physical demands of line play.Every camper at the mid-2026 event received lunch and a camp T-shirt, while the broader experience focused exclusively on mentorship and character development.Aaron Donald and Andrew Whitworth continue youth football mentorshipFor Aaron Donald, the exciting initiative added a crucial chapter to his post-playing career. Though he has returned to football now, at the time of this camp, he was retired and used football as a platform for youth development.Whitworth, on the other hand, has been retired for almost five years now but has stayed connected to the game through this camp. Beyond this, Whitworth works as a studio analyst for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football and co-hosts the weekly Fitz & Whit NFL show alongside Ryan Fitzpatrick.Aaron Donald NFL experienceAaron Donald has played the defensive tackle position for the longest time. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers between 2010 and 2013. He later played in the NFL for the St. Louis Rams/Los Angeles Rams since 2014.Donald built a commendable 10-year NFL career as a defensive tackle, earning three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-Pro selections, and 10 Pro Bowl selections.He also helped the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI. He’s still playing for them! He returned from retirement in 2026 after the Rams traded for 2025 NFL DPOY Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.Andrew Whitworth NFL careerWhitworth established himself as one of the NFL's premier offensive tackles during a career that included two stops with the Cincinnati Bengals [2006 to 2016] and Los Angeles Rams [2017 to 2021]. Prior to the NFL, he played college football for LSU from 2001 to 2005.He is a Super Bowl LVI champion and a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recipient [2021] and boasts four Pro Bowl selections. Apart from these, he is a recipient of the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award [2019] and Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year [2018].Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.