2023-09-11 18:28:54
J.J. Wattone of the NFL‘s most iconic defensive stars, has found peace with his decision to retire, even though he believes he could still play if he wanted to. After an illustrious 12-year career, Watt announced his retirement following the 2022 season, leaving behind a legacy of dominance on the field and a family-first mentality off it.
The 34-year-old defensive end, renowned for his incredible athleticism and unrivaled work ethic, made the difficult choice to step away from the game he loved. This season, for the first time since 2010, he’ll be watching the NFL from the sidelines during Week 1.
Watt’s journey in the NFL was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He claimed the Defensive Player of the Year title three times within his first five NFL seasons, setting an extraordinary standard for excellence. However, injuries interrupted his later years, and he found himself frequently alternating between healthy and injury-plagued campaigns.
In his farewell season, Watt managed to recapture some of his past glory, amassing 12.5 sacks – his highest total in several years. While he still possesses the ability to perform at an elite level, he chose to retire on his terms, with the desire to enjoy a healthy retirement and spend valuable time with his family.
Watt reflected on his decision: “I certainly feel like I could still [play] if I wanted to. But I always wanted to walk away when I still had something left because you never want to run until the wheels fall completely off. I really wanted to walk away healthy and be able to spend time with my son and my wife and to be able to enjoy those moments and to not be trying to fix things with my body.”
JJ Watt’s retirement has its benefits for his family
While Watt acknowledges he could have continued to excel on the field, he relishes the newfound freedom retirement brings. The weight of the daily grind, film sessions, and early morning workouts has been lifted. Instead, Watt now enjoys leisurely activities like golfing and traveling with his loved ones.
Though he’s adapted well to retired life, Watt recently returned to the football field in a different capacity. Alongside his wife, Nowhe hosted a flag football event as part of their partnership with Frito-Layaiming to combat food insecurity in schools. With a playful spirit, Watt expressed his competitive side, joking, “When I have a chance to beat my wife in anything, especially a sport, I really look forward to it.”
While Now humorously asserted her dominance, Watt is content with his life’s current chapter. As the NFL season kicks off, he admits to missing the pregame rituals, camaraderie, and the thrill of game day. Nevertheless, he finds solace in his newfound freedom and cherishing precious moments with his wife and their son, So.
Watta Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient, leaves behind an incredible legacy, having made five Pro Bowl appearances, five All-Pro first-team selections, and spending his final two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. His decision to retire may have brought an end to his NFL career, but it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with family, adventure, and cherished memories.
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