NFL fans and media wish J.J. Watt the best in retirement
By Mark Powell
NFL great J.J. Watt announced he’ll retire from football after the season in a social media post on Tuesday morning.
J.J. 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 Sack Leader
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
In a few years, we’ll be able to add Hall of Famer to that list when Watt is enshrined in football immortality. Canton surely awaits, and Watt retires playing some of his best football for the Arizona Cardinals. His brothers T.J. and Derek remain in the league, responsible for one of the greatest football families the NFL has ever seen.
Watt has 9.5 sacks on the year, and could surely finish with double-digit sack numbers for the first time since 2018. The longtime Houston Texans star signed with the Cardinals after the 2020 season, and will finish his career on the road in San Francisco.
J.J. Watt announced retirement on social media
A Twitter post from Watt on Tuesday morning announced the news. Watt’s wife, family and newborn child Koa were in the post. It’s safe to say Watt has plenty to do in life after football, and a break could do him some good as he helps his wife, Kealia Watt, raise Koa.
“My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure,” Watt wrote.
https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1607765508476252160
J.J. Watt retirement: Fans and media react
Watt will retire among the all-time greats at his position, and on the defensive side of the ball in general. At his peak, Watt was borderline unblockable. Watt had 20.5 sacks in the 2014 regular season, which was arguably his best as a pro.
J.J. Watt will retire as one of the greatest defensive linemen of all-time:
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2022
- 3x DPOY (2012, 2014, 2015)
- 7x All-Pro
- 5x Pro Bowl
- 2017 WPMOY pic.twitter.com/aKpOeN1k0m
One memory of @JJWatt throwing the ball to fans at Arrowhead Stadium before #Texans playoff game. pic.twitter.com/qMPcTaPI08
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 27, 2022
One of the game's best announces that he's walking away -- while playing his best football.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2022
JJ Watt is retiring after the season. https://t.co/IaKTHLWPpS
Man I just emailed @greggrosenthal yesterday saying I thought he should have JJ Watt ranked high on his list of free agents bc he was still playing so well. Always cool when your last memory of watching an elite player is thinking: Damn, he’s still got it.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 27, 2022
JJ Watt has the most 20+ sack seasons in NFL history.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2022
His 2014 season was incredible. He had 20.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, 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
https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1607767722594652160
Never forget the Jaguars chose Blaine Gabbert just a pick before Watt in 2010.
At 33 years old, Watt could still play a few more years if he wanted. He’d arguably be on of the top free-agent defensive ends available this offseason.
There’s nothing like retiring on top.
Next. The 30 best NFL players set to become free agents in 2023. dark