Aaron Donald restraining order, explained: Former NFL star takes legal action after years of alleged stalking

Dan Treacy

Aaron Donald restraining order, explained: Former NFL star takes legal action after years of alleged stalking image

Aaron Donald emerged as not only one of the NFL's best defensive players during his 10-year career with the Rams, but perhaps one of the best defensive players of all time.

A three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl 56 champion, Donald earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections and notched 111 career sacks as an interior defensive lineman.

Donald was so stellar that he evidently attracted one over-the-top fan, who now finds herself the target of legal action from the former Rams star.

Here's what you need to know about the restraining order Donald is filing against a woman. 

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Aaron Donald restraining order, explained

Donald claims he has been harassed and stalked by a woman named Janelle Anwar since 2020. He filed a request for and was granted a restraining order against Anwar in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

According to the filing, Anwar started sending Donald threatening emails before also sending along physical gifts.

As time went on, the alleged stalking became more concerning. Donald claims Anwar believes she is married to him, and she even filed for dissolution of their non-existent marriage in March, aiming for a $6.5 million settlement. Anwar even sent messages threatening the life of Donald's son, he alleges.

Donald is looking to keep Anwar at least 100 feet away from himself and his immediate family. Donald has a real wife, Erica, and they have a son, in addition to three children from a previous relationship involving the former Defensive Player of the Year.

While the order was granted on a temporary basis, a hearing is scheduled for May to further discuss the validity of the request and how long it might extend. 

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Who is Janelle Anwar?

Anwar is believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, Donald claims in his filing, and she also used the name "Janelle Mitchell" while sending the former Rams star gifts. 

Beyond those details, not much is known about Anwar. Donald would like to keep it that way and keep her far away from his family. 

By granting Donald's restraining order, Los Angeles County is also barring Anwar from owning a gun. 

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.