JJ Watt has sent an emotional message to Houston Texans fans after it was announced he would be making a return to the city.
Watt officially left the Texans in 2020 after spending 10 seasons in Houston. He was drafted with the 11th overall pick in 2011 and went on to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.
Since retiring from the NFL at the end of last season, Watt has gone on to invest in English football with Premier League newcomers Burnley. Watt and wife Kealia became minority investors into the club the same season that the Clarets won the Championship and secured promotion to the top flight.
The 34-year-old left the Texans to sign for the Arizona Cardinals, but Watt still held a connection with Houston. It was announced on Monday that the Texans would honour their former defensive end by inducting him into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor after his retirement this off-season.
In doing so, Watt will become just the third person to be inducted, and join Robert C. McNair and Andre Johnson. The induction will happen on Sunday, October 1 in the Texan’s Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, featuring his brother, TJ Watt.
After it was confirmed that Watt would be honoured, the former Texan sent a message to the team’s fans in an emotional video posted on Twitter by the Houston Texans’ Twitter page. “Houston, where do I start? 12 years ago, I was just a little kid,” said Watt in the video.
“I was coming to a city that I knew not a lot about. I knew there was good barbeque and pickup trucks, that was about the extent of my knowledge.
“What I didn't know was how incredibly special the people, the community, and the family were. And I’m so grateful and so thankful that you accepted me into that family.
“Maybe not at first, it took a little bit of convincing, but you accepted me and took me in as one of your own. And, damn, am I proud to be a Texan.
“I’m thankful. I’m grateful. Some of the memories we made, some of the moments we’ve shared together. On the field, off the field, some of the adversity that we’ve been through.
“There’s nothing that bonds people together closer than when you go through those times and you come out the other side stronger, and we did that. So I appreciate you, I thank you.
“I’m unbelievably excited to be coming home, and we got a whole lot of new memories to make if you’ll have me as part of your family again moving forward.
“So, let’s get back together, H-Town. I love ya.”
