JJ Watt, one of the NFL’s greatest-ever defensive players, has announced he will retire at the end of the 2022 season. “My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure,” Watt wrote on Twitter announcing his decision.

Watt added that Sunday’s loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was both his baby son Koa’s first NFL game, and his own “last ever” home game. Having failed to make it to the knockout stage, the Arizona Cardinals have two regular season games left, at Atlanta and San Francisco.

Watt was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation on September 29, 2022, which forced him to end his NFL career. 

Also Read: Top 5 JJ Watt moments in the NFL

 Who is J.J Watt? 

Justin James Watt or J.J Watt is an American football player who plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. He plays the defensive end position. He was drafted by the Houston Texans as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

Watt was born on March 22, 1989 in Pewaukee city Wisconsin. He initially committed to play for Central Michigan University, later transferring to the Wisconsin university to play for their Badgers football team. 

He became eligible for NFL in 2011 and appeared in the year’s NFL Draft, getting drafted by the Texans and signing a four-year, $11.24 million contract. He made his league debut against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, ending the game with five tackles and a fumble recovery. In his rookie year, he started all 16 games, recording 48 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, and 5.5 sacks.

He was awarded his first NFL Defensive Player of the year award in 2012 after having a splendid campaign, finishing the season with 69 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 20.5 sacks, 16 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

Also Read: NFL 2022 Week 4 injury updates: Christian McCaffrey to play vs Cardinals

He received back-to-back NFL DPOY in 2014 and 15 after recording combined stats of 154 combined tackles, and 38 sacks. 

After spending 11 seasons with the Texans, he was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $28 million contract, out of which $23 million was guaranteed. 

He has two brothers who also play in the NFL, Derek Watt and T.J Watt.