Category: J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Calls Out Austin Rivers After NBA-NFL Player Swap Comments
7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

J.J. Watt Calls Out Austin Rivers After NBA-NFL Player Swap Comments

J.J. Watt does not have time for Austin Rivers's foolishness. On Tuesday, the ESPN analyst told Pat McAfee that plenty of NBA players could make it in the NFL, but the reverse wasn't true. Watt offered Rivers a tryout to prove it.

While trying to argue the best athletes in the world reside in the NBA, Rivers told McAfee, "I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NFL."

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year tweeted, "You don't got a job in either right now, go head and try it."

Watt then followed that up by saying, "For the record, I could absolutely not play in the NBA. 6 hard fouls is about all I could give you and call it a day."

Rivers is probably correct that a number of super-athletic NBA players could make it at receiver or running back in the NFL, and there are a few big guys who could play offensive line. On the flip side, given the fine-tuned skills it takes to succeed in basketball, NFL players may not translate to the NBA. It's not that he's wrong, it's the dismissive nature of his statement.

McAfee and Watt both pushed back hard. I'd imagine a number of NFL guys would agree with their assessment that Rivers was being disrespectful of the level of athleticism in the league.

Austin Rivers, J.J. Watt, NBA, NFL
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DeMeco Ryans Perfectly Responds to J.J. Watt's One Exception to Return to NFL
6 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

DeMeco Ryans Perfectly Responds to J.J. Watt’s One Exception to Return to NFL

J.J. Watt noted over the weekend that 2024 would be the last year he would answer Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans's call about returning to the NFL if the team needed him, and the coach promptly answered back about a potential reunion.

“I love to hear J.J. saying he’s ready," Ryans said, via SportsRadio 610's Sean Pendergast. "I’ve got his number ready to go just in case we need him. ... I may need to make that call, so I'm happy that it's open from him."

This comment comes after Watt told reporters over the weekend that he told Ryans last year, his first year coaching the Texans, to not call "unless you absolutely need it." And if Ryans did need Watt, he would be there.

Reporters then asked Ryans what circumstances would need to happen in order for him to make the call to Watt. Although Ryans didn't give a specific example, it sounds like he's ready to jump on the opportunity if he needs to.

"I need him now, I need to make that call right now," Ryans added. "Anytime J.J. Watt’s ready to go, I’m ready to go.”

Watt played 10 seasons in Houston before ending his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons. He retired after the 2022 season, and it doesn't seem like he has intentions on coming back to the NFL, but he's continuing to train as if he's in the league.

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans, J.J. Watt
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J.J. Watt Outlines Unlikely Circumstances That Could Bring Him Out of Retirement
4 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

J.J. Watt Outlines Unlikely Circumstances That Could Bring Him Out of Retirement

After Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady's about-face in 2022, the NFL world has become a little skeptical of stars announcing their retirements. Yes, you're done, fans, writers, and sometimes even fellow players wonder, but are you really done?

Defensive end J.J. Watt, 35, appears to be really done.

On Saturday, Watt poured cold water on the idea of a potential return before his annual charity softball game in Sugar Land, Texas.

"I had 12 great years in this league and I'm very thankful to walk away healthy," Watt told reporters. "I told (Houston Texans coach) DeMeco (Ryans) last year—I said, 'Don't call unless you absolutely need it. But if you ever do call I'll be there.'

"This is the last year I'll tell him that, because I'm not gonna keep training the way I've been training."

Watt, by acclamation the greatest player in the Texans' short history, retired after playing 2021 and '22 with the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his career with five All-Pro appearances, five Pro Bowls, and three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Ryans and Watt's playing careers overlapped for one season—2011, when Houston won its first division title.

Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, J.J. Watt, NFL
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