Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt has announced that he will retire from the NFL following the end of the current season.
The 33-year-old has established a reputation as one of the sport's greatest ever defensive linemen and was named the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Watt spent a standout nine years with the Houston Texans between 2011 and 2020, during which he won five All-Pro honours and received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2017.
Writing on Twitter following the Cardinals' defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend, Watt revealed that he has played his final home game in NFL, where his newborn son Koa attended his maiden NFL home match.
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
"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. 🙏🏼" Watt wrote.
During his illustrious career, Watt has recorded a total of 580 tackles and 111.5 sacks, while also being the only player to record 20 or more sacks in multiple seasons.
The former Texans man has also become renowned for his philanthropy off the field, spearheading the Justin J. Watt Foundation, which raised $37m (£30.8m) for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
The Cardinals, who have been eliminated from postseason contention with a 4-11 record, sit 15th in the NFC before their final fixtures of the season against the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers next month.
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Ben Knapton
