CNN
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Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ WattOne of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, he will retire after the 2022 season. declared On Tuesday.
Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, said he played his “last” home game last Sunday, a 19-16 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude,” Watt wrote on Twitter. “It’s an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
Arizona has two games remaining in the season – against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 8.
Known as a dominant pass rusher, Watt may be bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be eligible for that in 2028.
The 33-year-old is tied with Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor as the top three-time defensive player in league history.
A seven-time All Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection according to the NFL, he was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, where he played his first 10 seasons. He owns the Texans franchise for most career sacks with 101.
In March 2021, he signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals as a free agent. CNN has reached out to the Cardinals for comment.
Watt is well known for his work off the field.
After Hurricane Harvey devastated areas around Houston and other parts of the Gulf Coast in August 2017, Watt embarked on his career-defining philanthropic effort to date.
Through a YouCaring campaign and plenty of social media attention, as well as the help of some famous friends, Watt raised more than $37 million for those affected by the flooding and damage Harvey left behind. Because of her fundraising, she was awarded the 2017 award Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year AwardIt is given to honor the charitable and volunteer efforts of NFL players.
Watt has two brothers, TJ and Derek, who play in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All three Watt brothers played college football at the University of Wisconsin.
JJ Watt revealed it in a social media post earlier this season He underwent treatment for atrial fibrillation – An irregular heartbeat, described by many sufferers as “fluttering”, “fluttering” or “flip-flopping”.
