NFL defensive end J.J. Watt of the Arizona Cardinals has announced his retirement after a 12-year career.
Watt has won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times in his career.
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
“Koa’s first ever NFL game,” Watt said of his two-month-old son, Koa James Watt. “My last ever NFL home game.”
He continued, “My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
Watt recorded 33 tackles and 9.5 sacks this season.
Following @JJWatt's announcement that he will retire after this season, we can confirm that he'd first be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028. pic.twitter.com/OQt6sOf66P
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 27, 2022
In October, he needed his heart shocked back into rhythm after his heart went into atrial fibrillation.
.@JJWatt announces his retirement from the NFL at the end of the season.
3x Defensive Player of the Year.
Walter Payton Man of the Year.
7x All-Pro
2x Sack Leader
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Future Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/eyEK0CqnXF— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2022
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Watt is in his second season with the Cardinals following a 10-year career with the Houston Texans.
The former Wisconsin standout was a first-round pick in 2011 and was dominant from 2012 to 2015, finishing that four-year stretch with 69 sacks to earn all three of his AP Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Watt’s final two games of the season will be against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 8.