JJ Watt bids farewell to NFL with emotional 2-sack game

JJ Watt’s day started with yet another sack followed by a ceremonial bow.ended with emotional farewell A fitting end to the career of one of the NFL’s greatest defensive players.

Watt continued to play at a high level, adding two more sacks to his career total in the Arizona Cardinals’ 38–13 loss. to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

It was the emotional end of an illustrious career that Watt was almost in tears when he last left the NFL field as a player with a two-minute caution.

As the crowd and 49ers cheered, Watt waved to his family in the suite and walked off, hugging Coach Cliff Kingsbury and his Cardinals teammates.

“I couldn’t do anything about what happened tonight,” Watt said. “I wish we could have won. But the way the fans are behaving here, the way the 49ers are behaving, it reminded me a little bit of the last game in Wisconsin. It was really special. It felt right, and it still feels right.” I feel.”

After the game, Watt returned to the field with his wife Kealia and 11-week-old son Koa. Core saw his father play for the first time at Christmas.

“It’s special,” he said. “I should have had my son present my entire career. I play much better when he is here. I knew they wouldn’t miss it, but I’m still grateful and grateful.”

Watt didn’t expect to get so emotional, but when the tribute video played at the team meeting on Saturday night, he found it hard to fall asleep and unable to control himself.

Then he woke up on Sunday to see a photo of his brother TJ and Derek wearing their jerseys to the Steelers season finale earlier in the day.

“When I woke up, the first thing I saw on my phone was a picture of them in the game. I lost it again,” he said.

Less than two weeks after 12 seasons, Watt announced his retirement, taking three sacks in his last two games.

he bowed afterwards Kill Brock Purdy It’s the 50th QB he’s sacked in the regular season or playoffs in the first quarter.he added another one in the third quarter, gave him 120 1/2 in the regular season and playoffs. This is the 23rd-most in the NFL since sacks became official in 1982.

Watt was one of the NFL’s best defensive players in Houston in the early 2010s before finishing his career in Arizona.

For four years from 2012 to 2015, he was the most dominant defensive player. He recorded his 69 sacks and earned all three of his AP Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Watt was consistent during his rookie season, but became a star in 2012 after losing with 20 1/2 sacks and 39 tackles. His production declined slightly in 2013 before he even had two big seasons. He recorded his 20 1/2 sacks in 2014 and 17 1/2 sacks in 2015.

His numbers dwindled later in his career, mainly due to injuries. He missed a good amount of time in his 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021 years, but made a late revival with the Cardinals. His 12 1/2 his sacks this season is his most since 2018.

“I said I want to play good ball, and I’m playing good ball,” Watt said. “I know I can still do it. I just choose not to. That’s all.”

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