CNN
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Arizona Cardinals defensive finish JJ Watt, one of many biggest defensive gamers in NFL historical past, will retire after the 2022 season, he announced on Tuesday.
Watt, the three-time NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, stated he performed his “final ever” house sport this previous Sunday, a 19-16 extra time loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“My coronary heart is full of nothing however love and gratitude,” Watt wrote on Twitter. “It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
Arizona’s remaining two video games of the season are on the highway – on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and on the San Francisco 49ers on January 8.
“The pleasure was all ours,” the Cardinals responded in a tweet.
Often known as a dominant cross rusher, Watt is probably going sure for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, for which he will be eligible in 2028.
The 33-year-old was named Defensive Participant of the 12 months 3 times, tied for many in league historical past with Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald and New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
The seven-time All Professional and five-time Professional Bowl choice, in line with the NFL, was chosen with the eleventh general choose within the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans the place he performed his first 10 seasons. He owns the Texans franchise report for probably the most profession sacks with 101.
In March 2021, Watt signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals as a free agent.
Watt is well-known for his work off the sphere.
After Hurricane Harvey devastated areas round Houston and the remainder of the Gulf Coast in August 2017, Watt launched into what could be his most career-defining charitable effort thus far.
Via a YouCaring marketing campaign and loads of social media consideration and assist from some well-known mates, Watt raised greater than $37 million for victims of the floods and injury Harvey left behind. Due to his fundraising, he was awarded the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which is given to honor the charity and volunteer efforts of NFL gamers.
Watt has two brothers, T.J. and Derek, who play within the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The three Watt brothers performed faculty soccer on the College of Wisconsin.
JJ Watt revealed in a social media publish earlier this season that he underwent treatment for atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat described by many victims as a “quiver,” “flutter,” or “flip-flop” of the center.
