JJ Watt

The three-time DPOY announced this season will be his last, leaving fans with memories of him taking over games and helping out in the community.

Watt ranks fourth in the NFL with 111.5 sacks since he entered the NFL in 2011. Although his sack totals were hindered by his injuries -- Watt ranks 26th in career sacks with 111.5 -- when he played, he was productive. He returned for the start of the regular season, but played in three games before needing a second back surgery. He led by example in the weight room and followed up by being a mentor for anyone who'd come by his locker, especially for his fellow defensive linemen. He decided to sign with Arizona, in part, because of the promise the Cardinals showed after the 2020 season, which included the potential of making a deep playoff run behind what was once one of the NFL's top offenses. His 60 career batted passes are easily the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2011. As of March 2021, when he was released by the Texans and moved to Arizona, Watt had never turned down a Make-A-Wish request. Watt had 20.5 sacks in each of the 2012 and '14 seasons and is still the only player to record 20 or more sacks in multiple seasons since sacks became officially tracked in 1982. He is also one of eight players to lead the NFL in sacks multiple times, doing so in 2012 and '15. Watt will retire as one of the best defensive players of his generation and likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2028. He won all three of his Defensive Player of the Year awards in that span, accumulating 69 sacks in four seasons. Away from the field, he leaves a formidable legacy for his fundraising work around Houston and in other communities as well.

Now one of the best defensive players in NFL history looks as if he's ready to call it a career. Watt – a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year – indicated ...

He has played some of his best football in Arizona over the past few weeks, with three sacks against the Broncos and two tackles for a loss on Christmas against the Buccaneers. He missed big chunks of time in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021, but has had a late-career revival with the Cardinals – his 9½ sacks this season are his most since 2018. Sports Radio 610, which is the flagship station of the Texans, set up the JJ Watt Goodbye Hotline that received hundreds of messages. The former Wisconsin standout was a first-round pick in 2011 and was dominant from 2012 to 2015, finishing that four-year stretch with 69 sacks, to earn all three of his AP Defensive Player of the Year awards. Watt was solid during his rookie season, but became a star in 2012, with a stunning 20½ sacks and 39 tackles for a loss. He had 20½ sacks in 2014 and 17½ in 2015.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year said he played "my last ever NFL home game" in a tweet, apparently announcing his retirement after the ...

[pic.twitter.com/kXnDlIql5O] [December 27, 2022] One of the greatest defensive players of all time. [https://t.co/vcYDf6jegi] [December 27, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/xRJnCDkD91] [December 27, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/T2VNvRv65C] [December 27, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/jdSqldxH1s] [December 27, 2022] [https://t.co/alM0DjDzYr] [pic.twitter.com/zCQ8gAq2WS] [December 27, 2022] In all, he's amassed 111 1/2 sacks over those 12 seasons (149 games), earning the league's Defensive Player of the Year award three times. Watt has missed time with pec, back, core and shoulder injuries throughout his 12 seasons with the Texans and Cardinals. My last ever NFL home game. "Koa’s first ever NFL game. [pic.twitter.com/wXbDUcHM8B] [December 27, 2022]

At 33, JJ Watt is still considered one of the most-fearsome players in the NFL - but he's decided to walk ...

He has played some of his best football in Arizona over the past few weeks, with three sacks against the Broncos and two tackles for a loss on Christmas against the Buccaneers. He missed big chunks of time in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021, but has had a late-career revival with the Cardinals — his 9 1/2 sacks this season are his most since 2018. His community efforts were unmatched, highlighted by raising more than $59.4 million for Hurricane Harvey relief. His production dipped slightly in 2013 before two more big seasons. My last ever NFL home game. READ MORE:

Happy Wednesday one and all. We are into Atlanta Falcons week, which if two teams with nine combined wins play, does anyone care? If you still do, ...

[Pro Bowl](http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl) safety Budda Baker would miss the rest of the season with a fractured shoulder. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is hanging it up after the season. The sports world congratulated him on a remarkable career. Watt retirement announcement](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35328752/sports-world-reacts-jj-watt-retirement-announcement) Watt announces this will be final NFL season](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35328432/cardinals-jj-watt-announces-final-nfl-season) Watt](https://www.azcardinals.com/photos/photos-best-of-j-j-watt) Buccaneers](https://www.azcardinals.com/photos/photos-caitlyn-s-top-pics-vs-buccaneers) [Cardinals Underground - Watt A Time To Say Goodbye](https://www.azcardinals.com/audio/cardinals-underground-watt-a-time-to-say-goodbye) Watt Announces His Retirement Following 2022 Season](https://www.azcardinals.com/video/quick-slant-j-j-watt-announces-his-retirement) Watt Announces He Will Retire After Season](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/j-j-watt-announces-he-will-retire-after-season) [Depth Of Field Photo Essay](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/depth-of-field-week-16-vs-tampa-bay) [Buccaneers](https://www.bucsnation.com/) through the lens of the Cardinals team photographer [You've Got Mail: Falcons Week](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/you-ve-got-mail-falcons-week-x9014)

Labor 2: Join Lwarence Taylor and Aaron Donald as the only NFL players to win 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards.

With you in the building these past two years JJ, I feel as if the spirit of Pat Tillman is alive and well. You made certain that all of the employees in the building feel respected and honored to be a part of the entire team. For believing in all of us. You reach out to them, most of whom are complete strangers and you offer to lend your personal and financial support. By your own words, you are still bring “THE JUICE.” Or are you still doing what you need to do as a professional and a as a man? “OK now is about a test of —- how you are as a professional —- and how you are as a man. Most veteran NFL players are weakened by “time and fate”, as poet Alfred Lord Tennyson would say. Well, Captain, your off-season dedication is paying off big-time, because you are leaving the game you love at the top of your game. Inside the Cardinals’ facilities you created a second home for yourself. You, as much as any NFL player I have ever rooted for, understands how vital it is to interact and communicate with the fans. He was that example to me and so many others!

J.J. Watt is one of the most dominant defensive players in football, but many want to know the state of his health following news of his retirement.

In the NFL, it will always be the offensive stars who command the highest paychecks. has had an incredible career and made enormous amounts of money, his salary pales in comparison to some of the highest-paid players in the league, which are usually quarterbacks. J.J.'s highest single-year salary came in 2015, the last time he earned Defensive Player of the Year, when he made almost $20 million. has earned more than $129 million over the course of 12 seasons in the league. Although his team, the Arizona Cardinals, only has a 4-11 record and has been eliminated from playoff contention, he is currently leading his team with 9.5 sacks on the season, including a single game in which he logged three sacks against the Denver Broncos. also has two brothers in the league, including T.J. "I've learned to appreciate the little things even more." In September, he had to have his heart shocked back into rhythm to correct an atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal rhythm in your heart. My last ever NFL home game. Watt](https://www.distractify.com/p/why-is-jj-watt-leaving-the-texans) is one of the rare defensive stars in the league, though, which is part of the reason it was such a big deal when he announced that he would be retiring at the end of this season. shared, “Koa’s first ever NFL game. J.J.