NFL great JJ Watt announced he would be retiring from football after the season in a social media post Tuesday morning.
JJ Watt has a long list of accomplishments to his name:
- 3x Defensive Player of the Year
- Walter Payton Man of the Year
- 7x All-Pro
- 2x Leader du Sack
- 2010s NFL All-Decade Team
In a few years, we may add a Hall of Famer to this list when Watt is dedicated to the immortality of football. Canton is surely waiting for him, and Watt is retiring playing some of his best games for the Arizona Cardinals. His brothers TJ and Derek remain in the league and form one of the greatest football families the NFL has ever known.
Watt has 9.5 sacks on the year, and could surely finish in double-digit sack count for the first time since 2018. The historic Houston Texans star signed with the Cardinals after the 2020 season, and will end his career on the way to San Francisco.
JJ Watt announced his retirement on social media.
A Twitter post from Watt on Tuesday morning broke the news. Watt’s wife, family and newborn baby Koa were featured in the post. It’s safe to say that Watt has a lot to do in life after football, and a break could do him good as he helps his wife, Kealia Watt, raise Koa.
“My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It was an absolute honor and pleasure,” Watt wrote.
Koa’s first ever NFL game.
My last NFL home game.My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It has been an absolute honor and a pleasure.
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– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 27, 2022
JJ Watt’s retirement: Fans and media react
JJ Watt is going to retire among the all-time greats in his position, and on the defensive side of the ball in general. At his peak, Watt was borderline impossible to block. Watt made 20.5 sacks in the 2014 regular season, which was arguably his best as a professional.
JJ Watt will retire as one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time:
– 3x DPOY (2012, 2014, 2015)
– 7x All-Pro
– 5 times Pro Bowl
– 2017 WPMOY pic.twitter.com/aKpOeN1k0m– NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2022
One of the best players in the world announces he is leaving – while playing his best football.
JJ Watt is retiring after the season. https://t.co/IaKTHLWPpS
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2022
Man, I just sent an e-mail @greggrosenthal Yesterday I said he should have put JJ Watt at the top of his list of free agents because he still plays so well. It’s always cool when the last memory you have of an elite player is to think: Damn, he still has it.
– Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 27, 2022
JJ Watt has the most 20-plus sack seasons in NFL history.
His 2014 season was amazing. He had 20.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, an 80-yard pick-six, 4 forced fumbles on defense, and caught 3 passes for 3 TDs on offense.
One of the best to ever do it.pic.twitter.com/T2VNvRv65C
– Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2022
The only players in NFL history to be named Defensive Player of the Year three times.
Lawrence Taylor
JJ Watt
Aaron Donald pic.twitter.com/4xU1zuztbR— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) December 27, 2022
Never forget that the Jaguars picked Blaine Gabbert just one pick before Watt in 2010.
At 33, Watt can play for a few more years if he wants. He would arguably be one of the best defensive free agents available this season.
There’s nothing quite like retiring at the top.