Five-time All-Pro JJ Watt has announced he will retire from the NFL after 12 seasons.
The Arizona Cardinals' defensive end posted a photo of himself with his wife Kealia, a US soccer international, and their infant son, Koa, to social media with the following statement:
"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."
The photo was taken at the Cardinals' Christmas Day overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watt has two road games left with the Cardinals - Sunday at Atlanta and 8 January at San Francisco.
Koa's first ever NFL game.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 27, 2022
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.
🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/wXbDUcHM8B
Watt, 33, leaves behind a legacy of greatness on and off the field. A five-time Pro Bowl honoree, he was also was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and three times selected the Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2017, he was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year and the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year after he spearheaded a fundraising effort that brought in more than $37 million in Hurricane Harvey relief for the Houston community, where he played with the Texans.
The Texans selected Watt with the No. 11 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he spent 10 seasons in Houston.
The Wisconsin native, a frequent visitor to Ireland and high-profile fan of the Irish rugby team, signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals before the 2021 season.
In his first five seasons, he was a dominant and feared defensive force, twice posting 20-plus sacks and winning Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2012, 2014 and 2015. But serious injuries limited him in four of the next six seasons, and he lost a half-season or more in each of those four years.
For his career, Watt has appeared in 149 games (all starts), with 580 tackles (191 for loss), 313 quarterback hits and 111.5 sacks. He also intercepted two passes - returning both for touchdowns - forced 27 fumbles and recovered 17,and broke up 69 passes.
As a weapon on offense, he also caught three passes for four yards - and three touchdowns - with the Texans in a dominant 2014 season.
"Nothing but love and respect for one of the best to ever do it in H-Town," the Texans said on Twitter. "We can't wait to celebrate your legacy soon."
Current teammate Zach Ertz also paid tribute.
"One of my favorite teammates of all time. Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame person. Unbelievable career my brother!!" Ertz wrote on Twitter.
In 14 games with the Cardinals this season, Watt has made 33 tackles (14 for loss) and posted 21 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
"The pleasure was all ours," the Cardinals wrote on Twitter.
