The Houston Texans and DE JJ Watt have mutually agreed to separate roads, the team announced today.
Watt is the franchise’s everyday business leader (101.0), a three-time winner of the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014-15) and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2017.
“Change is never easy, especially if it’s the ones you love. The impact of JJ on not only our organization, but also on the entire Houston community, is different from any player in our franchise’s history,” he said. Cal McNair, chairman and CEO of Texas, said. ‘I told JJ earlier this week that we would consider him a Texan forever. We take comfort in knowing that it is not a farewell, but ‘until’ soon ‘. For now, we will build on the foundation JJ has created here and continue our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston. ‘
“Simply put, there has been no person in the past decade who has had a greater impact on the Texans organization than JJ Watt,” said Janice S. McNair, co-founder and senior chairman. “JJ’s dominance on the field was unprecedented and resulted in countless moments that would fall into the history of the Texans. For me, JJ’s commitment to Houston is the best to play his tradition with the fans before every home game. The number of people wearing # 99 jerseys with smiles on their faces.JJ’s passion for bonding with Texans fans has summed up completely every time.His commitment to the community is not like any player in NFL history.We are JJ and his family are forever grateful. “
“The commitment I have with the people of Houston is special, and I will never take it for granted because I know how rare it is. I just want you to know that I love you and I appreciate it. u, “Watt said via a message. to fans via social media. “I want to thank the McNair family for setting me up and giving me my first chance in the NFL. Thank you, Houston.”
The Texans select Watt with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, and he appears in 128 games for the team over ten seasons (2011-20). A five-time Pro Bowl pick and AP First-Team All-Pro (2012-15, 2018), Watt set franchise records in pockets (101.0), tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281) and forced fumbles (25)) to go along with 531 total tackles, 61 passes defended and 16 fumble recovered. He owns the four highest business totals for one-season in team history (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018) and remains the only player in league history to collect at least 15.0 percent of the bags of a single franchise has.
Watt is one of only three players in NFL history to have won at least three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2012 and 2014-15. Since joining the NFL in 2011, he has led the league in tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281), multi-pocket games (26) and pocket years (713.5), while finishing second in bags (101.0) lined. In 2020, Watt, who led the NFL twice in sacks (2012 and 2015), became the fourth fastest player in NFL history to reach 100.0 sacks, and that only in his 120th career game.
As of 2012-’15, Watt has recorded four consecutive seasons with at least 10.0 sacks, including two seasons with 20.5 in 2012 and 2014. During that time, he has earned six of his seven AFC Defensive Player of the Week awards and five of his six careers awarded. AFC Defensive Player of the Month awards. Watt is also the only player in NFL history with 20.0 or more bags and ten or more passes defended in the same season (2012 and 2014), and he is tied for fifth place among defensive lineouts in the league. history with six ordinary seasons. touchdowns, including three receiving touchdowns.
From the field, Watt’s response to the disastrous Hurricane Harvey in 2017 helped him earn the coveted Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. The hurricane struck in Houston when Watt and the Texans left to play their third preseason game. As Watt watches the events from afar, Watt posts a video on social media announcing a fundraising campaign with a very achievable goal of $ 200,000, on which he would like to fit the first $ 100,000. Little did he know that in just 19 days he would help raise more than $ 37 million, a total that eventually grew to more than $ 41 million. Watt devoted himself to finding organizations that used the funds in the way he had promised the donors and victims of the disaster. He also ensured that every dollar would go directly to the residents of Houston and the surrounding areas in need.
Watt started the Justin J. Watt Foundation when he was a junior at the University of Wisconsin in 2010, out of a desire to help children who are employed. His personal motto of “Dream Big, Work Hard” culminated in a mission he used to influence communities across the country. The foundation has funded more than $ 6 million to schools and organizations that do not have adequate funding for their youth after-school athletics programs, or simply no after-school athletics programs at all.