Texans HC DeMeco Ryans sounds off on JJ Watt's induction to Ring of Honor

One of J.J. Watt‘s former teammates is sounding off on his upcoming induction into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor this season. First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans discussed the honor on Monday at Texans camp.

“Outstanding,” Ryans said, via NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. “He brought it every practice. It was always important to him. It shows with the honor he’s receiving.”

Ryans played his final season with Houston when Watt was a rookie in 2011. The former NFL linebacker was wrapping up a six-year career in H-Town while the Wisconsin star was just getting started. Ryans continued watching Watt’s ascendance even as he moved on to play four more seasons with the Eagles.

“He’s a phenomenal guy, in the community,” Ryans added. “He’ll never be forgotten here. I want our guys to emulate J.J.’

The Houston Texans announced on Monday that former star defensive end Watt will join the franchise’s Ring of Honor this season.

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.

Watt to join Texans’ Ring of Honor

J.J. Watt retired from the game this year 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. 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.

The Texans drafted Watt with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft after an impressive career at Wisconsin following a transfer from Central Michigan. He was a first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection that year as the Badgers shared the Big Ten title and clinched a Rose Bowl appearance.

During his NFL career, Watt has totaled 586 tackles, 114.5 sacks, two interceptions and three touchdowns. Although injuries became a problem the last couple of years, he finished his career on a bounce-back year, with 39 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

In 2022, he had a cardiac event that required medical attention but he returned to the field right away. He went into atrial fibrillation and had his heart shocked back into rhythm two days before playing a game.

Since retiring, Watt has flirted with the idea of starting a podcast. He’s also purchased a minority ownership stake in Burnley Football Club.