Early Friday morning, Defensive End JJ Watt announced his official release from the Houston Texans. In his Twitter video, he disclosed he had requested the release himself, and the Texans’ ownership mutually agreed to part ways.
“It is always tough to move on,” Watt expressed to his fans, “I just want you guys to know I love you, I appreciate you.”
With the 11th overall pick in the draft, Houston selected Watt in 2011. Over his ten years with the franchise, Watt had five Pro Bowl selections, three Defensive MVP seasons, two years as the NFL’s sack leader, and made the NFL’s All-Decade Team as a unanimous nomination. In 2014, he became the first player in NFL history to have multiple 20-sack seasons. He has the most sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries in Houston Texan history. To say he has become a cornerstone of the Houston Texans franchise is an understatement.
This announcement comes in the midst of a troubling off-season for the team. A few weeks ago, Texans starting quarterback and one of the NFL’s most promising athletes, Deshaun Watson, requested to be traded.
In a video taken moments after the Texans’ final game of the season and, subsequently, their 12th loss, JJ Watt was seen apologizing to a forlorn Watson as they walked off the field. “I’m sorry,” he professed, “We wasted one of your years…We should have 11 wins. I’m sorry”.
It seems both athlete’s desire to move on comes from a place of mutual frustration. After a shabby 4-12 season full of questionable management, it is clear that the Houston stars are looking for a fresh start and a place where their unparalleled talent is not going to waste.
The ache of the JJ Watt announcement will resonate deeply within a Houston fanbase that has experienced a pain-staking year. Months ago, a highly-critiqued trade took star WR Deandre Hopkins out of Houston to Arizona. The Houston Rockets, the city’s NBA team, lost James Harden and Russell Westbrook, arguably their most-skilled players, after a disappointing season of yet again missing the NBA championship. And George Springer, the Astro’s home run machine and dominant outfielder, departed Houston for free agency in the MLB.
The hole JJ Watt will leave in the Houston community will undoubtedly extend beyond football. Throughout his time in Houston, Watt committed himself to a variety of community service initiatives, including restoration after Hurricane Harvey, in which he raised over 37$ million dollars for the greater Texas community.
Still, it is Watt who thanks Houston for welcoming him, for making Houston his home. “The connection is special,” Watt said, “and I will never ever take it for granted.”
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