J.J. Watt, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the greatest careers in NFL history, has announced his retirement from the Arizona Cardinals.
In a post to his social media page on Tuesday, the star revealed the end of his season will mark the end of his career, thankful that his two-month-old son, Koa, was able to experience his final home game on Christmas.
Watt wrote, “Koa’s first-ever NFL game. My last ever NFL home game.”
Sports stars around the globe paid tribute to J.J. Watt after the star defensive lineman announced his retirement on Monday, following a 12-year career.
NBA MVP Kevin Durant praised Watt, writing “True game changer and a legend. Much respect 99.” The 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Watt spent the majority of his career with the Houston Texans before playing his last two seasons in Arizona.
He tallied 111.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles, while earning five All-Pro selections and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2017. Watt and his wife Kealia Ohai Watt welcomed their first child in October.
His brothers, Derek and T.J., currently play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watt will play his final two games against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend and the San Francisco 49ers on January 8.