Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman JJ Watt, who was once a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, recently announced his retirement on social media.
Weeks after he and his wife, Kealia Watt, welcomed their first child into the world, the professional athlete took to social media and shared he would be stepping away from the spotlight following the 2022 NFL season. “Koa’s first ever NFL game,” the 33-year-old wrote in a tweet, referencing his son’s milestone. He then dropped the bombshell, “My last ever NFL home game.”
Continuing, he added the sentiments, “My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer’s retirement undoubtedly comes as a shock to people, however, given the birth of his child, the timing felt right. After a well-accomplished career, he feels at ease with what he is leaving behind. “I’ve been playing this game since I was 10 years old, and it’s been an unbelievable ride,” Watt shared in a press conference after the announcement, according to ESPN.
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“If you told me back then when I started that I’d be able to play 12 years in the National Football League and meet the people I’ve met and accomplished some of the things I’ve accomplished and lived the life that I live, I’d have been extremely thankful and probably would’ve told you you were a crazy motherf—er,” he continued.
JJ Watt reflects on his outstanding NFL career
Despite closing his career without a Super Bowl championship under his belt, Watt isn’t letting it weigh him down. He expressed, “Did I win a championship? No. But I literally lived out a dream that millions of people would kill for. I have a job that anybody would love. I literally get to do things that I never in my wildest dreams thought I could do. So I may not have a trophy, but I’m doing all right, and I’m extremely thankful.”
The NFL star also emphasized that he would rather end on a high note than see himself gradually lessen his athletic performance, which is why it makes sense to retire now. “I’d much rather go out playing good football knowing that I could still play and knowing that hopefully, people remember me playing good football than to go out limping out and being forced out and knowing that I probably should have done it earlier,” Watt explained.
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