JJ Watt opens up on decision to retire, what ultimately led to walking away

Former NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt opened up this week about why he chose to walk away from the game and into retirement at 34 years old.

Joining Chris Long on the Green Light podcast, the Texans and Cardinals star explained how the birth of his first child, Koa James Watt, impacted his decision to retire despite ending his career with a 12.5-sack season.

“You can still put in the same time and energy and effort but it’s not the singularly most important thing in your life anymore,” Watt said. “It definitely played a factor but I wouldn’t say it wasn’t the largest. I wanted him to see me play, even though he’ll never ever remember it, I wanted to have those photos, I think it was cool to have him on the field with me for two games this year.”

Watt could have continued playing, but he told Long it was becoming increasingly difficult to prepare his body and mind to play each season as he aged.

“In terms of the actual retirement, it was much more physical and mental than anything else,” Watt said. “You guys know better than anybody how much it takes physically and mentally to prepare every season especially as you get later and later in your career… Can I still do it? Absolutely. Do I have to work significantly harder… yes. That’s the part I didn’t want to have to do anymore.”

Watt retired from the game after his 12th NFL season. He started out with the Houston Texans, playing from 2011-20, before arriving in Arizona ahead of the 2021 season.

During his NFL career, Watt totaled 586 tackles, 114.5 sacks, two interceptions and three touchdowns.

In 2022, he went into atrial fibrillation and had his heart shocked back into rhythm two days before playing a game.

Watt set to join Texans Ring of Honor

Since retiring, Watt has flirted with the idea of starting a podcast and he’s also in talks with networks about broadcasting opportunities. He’s also purchased a minority ownership stake in Burnley Football Club with his wife, Kealia, a former member of the US Women’s National Soccer Team.

Watt will join the Houston Texans’ Ring of Honor this season, just one offseason removed from his last NFL game.

The Ring of Honor induction ceremony will be on Oct. 1, 2023. It will be a family affair as the Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers, led defensively by Watt’s younger brother T.J. Watt.

He’ll join former Texans receiving legend Andre Johnson and Robert McNair in the Ring of Honor.

A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he appeared in five Pro Bowls, earned five All-Pro selections and won the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, among his many accolades.

One of the biggest things Watt did for Houston wasn’t on the football field. After Hurricane Harvey struck the city, Watt’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund raised over $41.6 million for rebuilding efforts.