WATCH: JJ Watt gets emotional during Cardinals tribute video featuring family, multiple NFL greats
An NFL legend wrapped up one of the most dominant defensive careers in league history on Sunday when edge rusher J.J. Watt played his last game for the Arizona Cardinals and his illustrious career. And after the game, the Cardinals put together a touching tribute for Watt.
Captured by the cameras filming the in-season edition of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” a video including former and current players and Watt’s family — or both, in the case of his brothers — hit the mark, evoking an emotional response from Watt. It opened with one of his younger brothers, T.J. Watt, speaking to the camera.
“Brother, I just want to say congratulations on retirement,” T.J. Watt said. “You, and your resiliency throughout all the ups and downs. You ending up in the NFL and you being defensive player of the year and you having all the success that you had, showed me that it’s possible.”
Along with family, Watt also got well wishes from a number of quarterbacks both active and retired.
It was a chance for them to offer a nod to the former Wisconsin star for all the trouble he caused them over the years. Watt finished his career 24th all-time in the NFL in sacks with 114.5 in his 12-year career. Among active players in 2022, Watt was third in career sacks behind only Von Miller and Cameron Jordan.
Thus, a long line of quarterbacks there to thank him for what he gave the game of football. Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Dak Prescott and Tom Brady all offered well wishes to the eventual Hall of Fame defender.
“Man, you were in a pain in my ass for a long time,” Brady began. “It was an honor to share the field with you.”
All the while, Watt was shown breaking down, hands shielding his face from the cameras at times.
Then his parents, Connie and John, and wife, Kealia, spoke.
“It’s been just a complete joy watching you through all the years,” Connie Watt said.
“And you’ve always been so generous and kind and loving to everybody around you. And you never forgot who you are,” Kealia Watt said.