JJ Watt has revealed he received invaluable advice from Hollywood-star-turned-Wrexham-owner Ryan Reynolds after the former NFL star invested in newly-promoted Premier League club Burnley.
Inspired by the Welcome To Wrexham documentary series, which charts Reynolds' co-ownership of the Welsh club alongside It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia creator Rob McElhenney, former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals phenom Watt was unveiled as a minority investor in the Clarets on May 1.
The 34-year-old, a three-time defensive player of the year, has already been getting stuck into getting to know manager Vincent Kompany, his Championship-winning players as well as the locals, taking part in a pub crawl around the East Lancashire town for "research" purposes. Watt has revealed he spoke to Deadpool star Reynolds about entering into football club ownership, receiving welcome advice about understanding the difference between Engish and American fans.
“The number one thing Ryan said was recognising the tribalism in football,” Watt told The Athletic. “It’s different from American sports. It is a tribal loyalty that is rarely found in other sports or supporter bases. He told me I had to respect and honour that history and tradition and do right by that group otherwise you will lose them before you start.
“It’s been fun to watch him and Rob do it so well and that’s what we’re trying to do here. I’m trying to get so deep into the community so they know I understand this club. It has been here long before I was here and will be long after I’m gone; all I’m trying to do is respect and elevate what you have.”
Watt, whose wife Kealia won three caps for the US women's national team, has shown his support over the years for Chelsea, but he insists he is a Clarets fan through and through now, believing his hometown of Pewaukee, Wisconsin has plenty in common with Burnley
“I started to look at the boxes and every single one was checked," he said about his decision to choose Burnley. "Unbelievable history, great town. I’m from a small town in Wisconsin. It’s all about hard-working people.
"There is a Premier League pedigree, a manager who has a pedigree of his own and a vision of the future and a style of football that’s beautiful and the ownership is incredible.”
Watt was at Turf Moor on Monday to see Burnley beat Cardiff City 3-0 in the final game of the season before taking part in the celebrations on the pitch as the players lifted the Championship title.
He admits the experience made him feel uncomfortable as a new arrival who did not want to take credit from Kompany, his players and the long-serving staff at the club.
“I kind of feel like the kid in class who didn’t do any of the work in the group project but got an A anyway,” he explained.
"I don’t feel worthy of being part of all the celebrations. When (majority owner) Alan (Pace) asked me to walk the trophy out onto the pitch I said no, I didn’t feel I had earned it; everybody else earned it, I shouldn’t be the first person to touch it. They insisted, so I did it.”
