JJ Watt - Former American Footballer
Age: 36
Country: United States Occupations:
Former American Footballer
J.J. Watt (Justin James Watt) is a former American football defensive end who is widely considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. He played 12 seasons in the league, primarily with the Houston Texans (2011–2020) before finishing his career with the Arizona Cardinals (2021–2022).
Football Career & Achievements
Three-Time Defensive Player of the Year: He is one of only three players to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times (2012, 2014, and 2015).
All-Pro & Pro Bowl: He earned five first-team All-Pro selections and was named to five Pro Bowls.
Statistical Dominance: Known for his pass-rushing ability, he recorded 114.5 career sacks and is the only player in NFL history to record two separate seasons with more than 20 sacks.
College Path: Originally a tight end at Central Michigan, he famously gave up his scholarship to "walk-on" at the University of Wisconsin, where he transitioned to defensive end.
Off-the-Field & Current Roles
Philanthropy: He received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2017 after raising over $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. He also runs the Justin J. Watt Foundation to support after-school athletics.
Broadcasting: Following his retirement in 2022, he transitioned into sports media. As of 2026, he serves as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, frequently paired with announcer Ian Eagle.
Ownership: He is a minority shareholder in the English soccer club Burnley FC and the Spanish club Espanyol.