JJ Watt’s NFL career is now in the rear-view mirror after 12 seasons.
He spent 10 years with the Houston Texans and two more with the Arizona Cardinals, and he was a fearsome pass-rusher over the years for both franchises.
Now that he is retired, he has likely had a chance to reflect, and he chose to thank his fans for supporting him throughout his career.
Might be the frozen cocktails making me talkative, but there’s never a bad time for some gratitude.
I am forever grateful to every NFL fan who has ever bought a ticket, purchased a jersey or tuned in to a game on TV.
I’m fully aware this life I’m fortunate enough to live with… pic.twitter.com/73CNTR4lik
—JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 3, 2023
Fans on Twitter reciprocated by not only pointing out what a great player he was but also the fact that he has been a class act.
Always a class act with his priorities in line with family values. Thanks for being an example of how gratitude leads to happiness.
—Priscilla Pilon (@PriscillaPilon) April 3, 2023
You’re so grounded! One of the reasons I’ve always been a fan! Hope to run into you on the golf course someday.
—Ben Gillespie (@Gillietalks) April 3, 2023
Such a stand up guy
—Simon Bernstein (@sbern360) April 3, 2023
Like many NFL players past and present, Watt has done quite a bit of philanthropy, and this fan pointed out his longtime support of the men and women who serve in our military.
Thank you for everything you did for the military community JJ. It never went unnoticed! You’re a hero to all Houstonians. Salute to you 99. pic.twitter.com/Qa0YRwo0t5
— Garner Bussell (@GarnerBussell) April 3, 2023
While Watt has been very giving off the field, on the field, he was something of a terror.
He led the NFL in sacks twice and in tackles for loss three times, which resulted in him taking home three Defensive Player of the Year awards while being voted onto the Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team five times each.
When the Texans drafted him in 2011 with the No. 11 pick, they had been a struggling expansion franchise, but that all changed instantly.
Watt helped drive Houston to the playoffs as a rookie, and five more postseason appearances were to come during his 10 seasons there.
In 2021, he moved on to the Cardinals, who finished 11-6 and got to the playoffs in his first year in Arizona after missing the postseason in each of the previous five years.
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JJ Watt Shares His Gratitude For The Fans
