Talk about the whole NFL for a loop. Just what can be seen as minutes after he unraveled a headline claiming he listed three NFL teams as finalists in the derby to land him, JJ Watt took matters into his own hands by announcing that he had agreed has to negotiate a deal with the Arizona Cardinals – a club that has never been mentioned or reported to be in the free agency race for his services. The $ 31 million two-year deal reportedly contains $ 23 million guaranteed and is set to place him with Chandler Jones as one of the best pass-rush duos in the entire league, but with the deal now agreed, the question number that Watt will carry takes center stage.
His beloved number 99 was not available in the desert for good reason when he ended up on the tarmac. It was long ago retired by the Cardinals to honor the legendary defensive weapon Marshall Goldberg, a College Football Hall of Famer who made his presence felt and then a few for the then Chicago Cardinals after being drafted in 1939. in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Many have already tried to figure out what Watt’s new number will be, but it’s official now.
Goldberg’s family is fine with no. 99 off the beams – consider who will carry it.
“He has my blessings,” Ellen Goldberg Tullos, daughter of the late Marshall Goldberg, told TMZ Sports. “And I’m sure my dad would be more than happy to keep it going.”
And there it is, also now confirmed by both Watt and the Cardinals organization. The fact that the Goldberg family gave their blessing is a nod to Watt’s greatness and how they feel he will continue the legacy of the number with the Cardinals.
“Well, I know Dad was really honored when they retired his number, but also that he always respected other players,” Tullos said. ‘And if JJ Watt had the number 99 with him for a long time and it meant something to him, I think [my dad would] be glad he used the number and withdrawal – or whatever the correct word would be. ‘