Geno Smith has a hilarious reaction to Aaron Donald's retirement announcement

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has been active this week on X (the player formerly known as Twitter). He has reacted to much of the news of either a Seattle player leaving in free agency or an addition to the team. Smith rarely has a harsh word for anyone, but he doesn't mind clarifying an opinion when needed.

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman (and Seattle menace) Aaron Donald announced his retirement on Friday. This was a bit of a shock, but ultimately a good thing for Seattle. Donald has been too good to not want him to leave. As a human being, we should wish him well, of course. As a football player, his retirement is cause for celebration.

Geno Smith did not have to play Donald too many times after becoming QB1 for Seattle. Donald missed both games Los Angeles played Seattle in 2022. Smith faced the future Hall of Famer three times with the Seahawks (Smith came in during Week 5 of 2021 after Russell Wilson had been injured) and was only sacked half a time. But the reaction that Smith had to Donald's retirement announcement had little to do with Seattle versus Los Angeles.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith respects Aaron Donald but not his college

Instead, Smith made a reference to Donald going to college at Pitt. Smith went to West Virginia. West Virginia and Pittsburgh have a long-standing heated rivalry that predates Smith or Donald playing for their respective schools.

When both players were in college, Smith played Donald once. In a 2011 21-20 victory for the Mountaineers, Smith threw for 244 yards and a touchdown, but he was also sacked by Donald once. (Smith played Pittsburgh in 2010 as well but Donald did not play in that game.) In other words, Smith has been trying to avoid Donald over the course of about 13 seasons.

This is why while praising Donald as one of the greatest ever, Smith still took a shot at Donald's college. Smith wrote, "Much respect to 99.. one of the greatest of all time but still a Pitt Panther...enjoyed every matchup from college to the pros. Well wishes always!" In between the "Pitt Panther" and "enjoyed" part though was a thumbs-down emoji from Smith.

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