Arizona Cardinals star J.J. Watt shocked the NFL world on Tuesday morning when he casually announced his retirement in a social media post that featured sweet family photos from the Christmas Night game against the Bucs a few days ago.
Watt has spent 12 years in the NFL, including the past two seasons with the Cardinals. He’s a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time All-Pro and won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2017 after his incredibly charity work with the city of Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
Watt has 9.5 sacks this year (111.5 career sacks) for the Cardinals, who are not going to make the playoffs.
Here’s his post that stunned everyone:
Koa’s first ever NFL game.
My last ever NFL home game.My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 27, 2022
Well, that’s a pretty great way to announce your retirement.
Watt’s wife, Kealia Watt, is a professional soccer player who plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League.
I spoke with Kealia recently, and she told me she's gotten back to exercising postpartum and is planning on making a return to the #NWSL. Looks like JJ will be assuming stay-at-home-dad responsibilities :) https://t.co/ek44eKrUSO
— Meredith Cash (@mercash22) December 27, 2022
The Cardinals end their season with games at the Falcons and at the 49ers.
NFL fans had reactions.
JJ Watt is retiring from the NFL after this season.
He’s been an incredible player, of course.
But he also raised over $40 million after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which helped rebuild more than 1,200 homes in the Houston Area.
That’s the stuff people will remember forever. pic.twitter.com/DGupQfbvrv
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 27, 2022
Watt's peak was unbelievably high. Had 69 sacks in a 4-year span from 2012-2015.
Then after some really bad injury luck he came back elite in 2018. He's been a very good player this year, good to see people go out on their own terms. https://t.co/BceL3akgdD
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) December 27, 2022
Watt did amazing things for the city of Houston. I’ll remember that first. Secondly, he truly wore the crown of “most destructive man on the field” for a 4-5 season run. Good guy. Bad man. Respect to a honorable HOF-bound career. https://t.co/P47BRYEDp3
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) December 27, 2022
Legendary career https://t.co/4i0lzswizD
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) December 27, 2022
Incredible career 🫡🫡🫡 https://t.co/AL0J0nIuLP
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) December 27, 2022
Calling it a career. And what a career https://t.co/ZNgJVQ2zo9
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) December 27, 2022
Forever a legend 🤘 https://t.co/JQqcOJdhtL pic.twitter.com/cLMQmhO4YM
— Tyler Scotch (@Tyler_Scotch) December 27, 2022
It has been an absolute joy watching you play the game. You have had a great impact on and off the field. You did it the right way and inspired others. I wish you and your family the best…Next stop, Canton and the @ProFootballHOF . https://t.co/ldOGp94lz1
— Doctor Gridiron (@DrGridiron_MD) December 27, 2022
The best football player I've ever covered. Happy retirement. #WeAreTexans https://t.co/e0AhM9dl9n
— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) December 27, 2022
Legend. What a career. Just sucks injuries robbed us of more years of peak JJ Watt https://t.co/wZx2VLg6nb
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) December 27, 2022
Thank you @JJWatt for all the memories. While your last stint was with Arizona, I will always remember your time with @HoustonTexans.
Changing the game as a d-lineman to raising a ton of money for Hurricane relief in Houston.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. https://t.co/td5l7X0hKN— Rex Castillo (@rexcastillotv) December 27, 2022
Legend https://t.co/v7W0lDxGYR
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) December 27, 2022
A Hall of Fame football player but more importantly a hall of fame person! Congrats on the retirement @JJWatt! As a Colts fan, you were a game wrecker but I loved watching you play! https://t.co/CRMEB7tNya
— Drew Bogs (@DrewBogs623) December 27, 2022
$41.6M raised and distributed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey for relief efforts in Houston and surrounding areas. A legend forever in my hometown. Build the statue, @HoustonTexans. Thank you @JJWatt https://t.co/gJvDAbhQQP
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) December 27, 2022
