If you’re 6’1”, weigh 280 lbs and are ripped AF, then there’ll be plenty of people speculating that you’re not natty.
In this case, I’m talking about the Aaron Donald steroid rumours that have been circulating online.
Aaron has never admitted to using PEDs (of course, he never would as he’d be disciplined by the NFL), but it’s fair to assume that there’s probably more going on than just lifting weights and a good diet.
So, I spent a few weeks researching his background and social media accounts to see if there’s any truth to these rumours.
Does Aaron Donald Take Steroids?
There’s no definitive evidence that Aaron Donald has taken anabolic steroids.
Having analyzed his physique, I’ve found some features which may hint at PED use, and others which suggest that he’s natural.
Let’s take a look at these in more detail
Reasons People Believe Aaron Donald Takes Steroids
HGH Gut
Many bodybuilders take human growth hormone (HGH) as part of their steroid cycle.
One of the side effects of this is that organs can swell up, and that pushes out the so-called HGH gut.
There have been some photos of Aaron where he seems to show this effect.
Enlarged Breast Tissue
Ironically, anabolic steroids which boost testosterone and growth hormone have also been linked to men developing enlarged breast tissue.
It’s important to point out that enlarged breast tissue and ripped pecs aren’t the same thing – here, we’re talking about soft breast tissue in the form of fat.
In recent photos, it seems that Aaron’s chest contains more fat than the rest of his body which may imply gyno.
Evidence of ‘Roid Rage’
Some steroid users experience what’s known as ‘roid rage’.
This is where you become more aggressive and irritable, and it’s believed to be caused by unnaturally high testosterone levels.
Aaron was recently disciplined by the Rams for violently swinging his helmet at other players in a brawl, which could be a sign of roid rage.
Round Face
Anabolic steroids have been shown to increase water retention throughout the body, which can give some users a round, puffy pace.
And looking at Aaron’s face, you could argue that he suffers from this side effect.
Reasons Which May Suggest Aaron Donald Is Natty
No Sign of Hair Loss
One of the most common problems with PEDs is that they may increase facial hair while decreasing head hair. Many steroid users hide this with a tightly cut hairstyle.
Looking through Aaron’s Instagram, it’s clear to see that his head hair is still well intact and there’s no signs of baldness/hair loss, which may imply that he’s natty.
No Evidence of Acne
In developing teenagers, acne is often caused by fluctuating hormones, like testosterone. And the same thing can happen to people who take anabolic steroids.
With steroid use, the skin change is quite sudden and noticeable and not easily hidden, especially if you’re a famous footballer who’s on camera a lot of the time.
It doesn’t look like Aaron Donald suffers from skin problems, suggesting that he could be natural.
Minimal Vascularity
Popping veins are a solid indicator of how much muscle and how little fat you have.
But certain types of steroids will produce those vascular veins even if you’re not working out.
Looking at Aaron’s Instagram profile, you can see that he doesn’t really have any veins popping out his muscles.
He’s Regularly Drug Tested
NFL players are currently tested at least once a year for drugs, including steroids.
You’d think that if he did take PEDs, then he would’ve been caught by now. But that isn’t the case.
Aaron Donald has yet to fail a drug test, which is another reason why he could be natural.
Is It Possible To Bulk Up Like Aaron Donald Naturally?
To bulk up like Aaron Donald naturally would require some great genetics and a lot of patience and dedication.
Aaron eats up to 5,000 calories day, which is a huge challenge for the average person.
That’s before we even consider his gruelling training routines.
Conclusion
In summary:
- It’s unclear whether Aaron Donald takes steroids.
- There are some features of his physique which suggests that he does, and others which suggest that he’s natural.
That’s all for Aaron Donald, but is ThreeDotCorey natural? Or is Davis Diley natty?
Thanks for reading!
Sources
https://www.outkick.com/rams-plan-to-discipline-aaron-donald-internally/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_in_American_football
https://www.therams.com/news/i-ate-like-aaron-donald-and-here-s-what-happened
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6789809/
I’ve been in the fitness and strength training industry for nearly a decade. In that time, I’ve gained 30 pounds of muscle, written hundreds of articles, and reviewed dozens of fitness supplements. As for my educational background, I’m a currently studying for my Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training.