J. J. Watt

Profile Overview

Justin James Watt (born March 22, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas and Wisconsin Badgers and was selected by the Texans in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Watt received the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times in his first five seasons. Watt's position was primarily defensive end. He also took snaps on offense, catching three touchdown passes in 2014. Watt holds the Texans franchise records for sacks and forced fumbles. In 2017, Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsman of the Year. Watt is regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history.
After retiring in 2022, Watt joined CBS Sports, working initially as a studio analyst on The NFL Today and then joining Ian Eagle on the network's #2 game announcing team in 2025. Watt is the older brother of Derek Watt and T. J. Watt.