He is considered one of the best defensive players of all time. So, like so many other football fans, you might be wondering why JJ Watt is retiring while it’s reasonable to assume he’d have another stellar year in 2023. Apparently even Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury had “no idea,” but Watt himself- Even said he “knew for a while” it was “a good time” to hang up his boots following the Cardinal’s loss to Tampa Bay on Christmas Day 2022.
Happy for him. It looks like he’s in a really good place… What a great player and person and an all-time great in this league,” Kingsbury said at a press conference, per FoxNews. “So to see him play like he played the other night and then hear that, I think it’s just a special moment for him, the organization, the whole NFL to celebrate for the last two weeks.”
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Justin James Watt, born March 22, 1989, played college football in Central Michigan and Wisconsin before being drafted by the Houston Texans in the 2011 first-round draft, as the 11th.e overall choice. He signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 and in 2022 was on track to have one of the best seasons of recent years.
Why is JJ Watt returning from the NFL?
Why is JJ Watt returning from the NFL? The defensive lineman said it was “the right time” after viewing photos from the Cardinal’s loss to Tampa Bay on Christmas Day, the final game of what has been a disappointing season with just four wins and 11 losses. He was pictured with his wife Kealia and son Koa after the game and said Athleticism“I thought it was perfect. It’s the perfect way. It’s [Koa’s] very first game. My very last game at home. I’ve always done things my way from that point of view. I really don’t want people leaking my own information, so I’m going to tell my own story.
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He shared his news on social media announcing it would be his “last home game in the NFL”, telling reporters after having his decision in his mind for some time. I have known for a short time. It’s the right time,” Watt said, per NFL.com. “It seems like the right time. I’ve invested so much in the game and the wins and losses, mental stress and passion that comes with it, it weighs on you. It’s heavy, I mean it’s really heavy.
Despite the team’s performance in the 2022 season, Watt has recorded 9.5 sacks this season, the most since 16 in his 2018 season for the Texans. But at the end of the day, the NFL is a team sport, and Watt said losses are always hard to stomach. Losses are very hard to take. You live with ups and downs, and I’ve always said I’d rather live with ups and downs that you never know in the middle. I have a son now. He went on to explain his reasons for retirement, mentioning the health issues he’s had over the past year, including being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, aka an abnormal and often rapid heartbeat, in September 2022.
He rolled up to the hospital just weeks before the arrival of her firstborn, doctors got her heart back to a regular rhythm. Obviously, I had a jitters in the middle of the year, so there’s definitely some of that that played into that. But I’m very happy and I’m very at peace with it,” he said. He ended up playing that week, his 138th consecutive game, recording three tackles in a 26–16 win over Carolina. “It’s been a very emotional week for my family, for my wife, for myself,” he said at the post-match press conference. So I’m very happy to have won today. Obviously I had a lot of emotions, but I learned to appreciate the little things even more, so it’s good to have a win today.
Continuing his retirement announcement, Watt said the health care caused him to reevaluate his priorities, switching from football to family. “I’ve added some amazing new pieces to my life with my wife and son that definitely take a lot of my focus and energy,” Watt said. But the wins and losses each week and the energy and strength I put into it each week and the preparation has never changed. I think that’s honestly part of the reason it’s time to go because I don’t want all my energy going into it anymore.
He continued, “I’m willing to not put all my energy into it. I am ready to see my son grow up. I’m ready to spend more time with my wife. I’m ready for a new challenge, whatever it is. I can’t wait to see what else is out there.
Watt went on to explain that he’d rather quit the game than “limp off” and feel like a stranded veteran. “I would much rather play good football knowing that I can still play and knowing that I hope people remember me playing good football than limping and being sent off and knowing that I probably should have done it sooner.”
As the three-time Defensive Play of the Year, Watt leaves the game with an 11-year, 12-season career with 580 tackles and 111.5 sacks. He also holds the Texans franchise records for sacks and forced fumbles. He is on track to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, to which he will be eligible in 2028. Off the field, he has made significant contributions to community efforts, raising more than $37 million (in 19 days) as relief funds for the city of Houston when it was devastated by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Watt’s final game will be on Jan. 8 against the San Francisco 49ers.
How the NFL community reacted to JJ Watt’s retirement
Everyone in the sport took to social media to wish Watt the best after a stellar career in the NFL. “The game recognizes the game 🤝 Congratulations on a great career, @JJWatt,” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tweeted along with video of Watt and veteran quarterback Tom Brady exchanging words after a game.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker JJ’s brother TJ tweeted a GIF of Michael from Office tear, while NFL broadcaster and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth wrote, “JJ Watt played better in his senior year than I did in my prime. Congratulations on an incredible career.
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