Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald was involved in a contentious legal battle with his ex-girlfriend over her dog, which he claimed posed a danger to their children, according to court documents published less than a week after he announced his return to the NFL. Donald, 35, filed a lawsuit in late July seeking sole physical custody of their two children, Jaeda, 13, and Aaron Jr., 10, until Jaelynn Blakey removed her French bulldog from her home.
In the court filings, Donald alleged the dog had bitten his daughter's mouth in September 2023 and his son in the face in March 2026. He also claimed the dog bit Blakey's niece less than a year prior to the incident with his son, attaching photographic evidence of the alleged injuries. Donald stated that Blakey had agreed to remove the dog after each incident, but his children informed him in the summer that the pet had returned to her Los Angeles home.
Donald's court filing asserted that Blakey did not inform him of the dog's return and that the children were instructed not to tell him. Blakey, however, countered these claims in her response, stating the dog was not dangerous, that the children were not afraid of it, and that she never told them to conceal its presence from Donald. She described the dog as an emotional support animal loved by her children and argued that Donald's request to remove it was not solely about child safety but also an attempt to take away a family pet.
Ultimately, a stipulation and order filed on August 3 indicated that Blakey removed the dog from her home. The former couple subsequently agreed to resume their prior co-parenting arrangement. Donald and Blakey, who were never married, separated around the time Donald moved to Los Angeles with the Rams in 2016. Donald is now married to Erica Donald, with whom he also has two children.
Donald's decision to end his retirement and rejoin the Rams was confirmed on Sunday, more than two years after he initially stepped away from the sport. He participated in a light practice session shortly after rejoining his teammates. He has agreed to a one-year contract, reportedly worth at least $20 million with incentives. Donald is a decorated player, having earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards, 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl ring during his decade with the Rams.
His return comes after he spent time focusing on business interests and family following his retirement in early 2024. The possibility of a comeback began to emerge this summer, particularly after the Rams' trade for defensive lineman Jared Verse. Rams coach Sean McVay stated that Donald's participation in the upcoming Thursday night game against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne remains uncertain as he continues to be evaluated.