J.J. Watt has shown plenty of love for Houston over the years. This week, even though he is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he extended a personalized thank-you to several member of Houston’s sports media, including KPRC 2′s Randy McIlvoy and Vanessa Richardson, for all the years of coverage.
Wow! What a surprise today from @JJWatt ! Class move from the #Texans great and future Hall of Famer who was always good to me and @KPRC2 . Thanks for all you continue to do supporting many causes in Houston! All the best in Arizona! pic.twitter.com/WS7TZNMwDk
— Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) May 27, 2021
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Such a nice surprise! Signed jersey from JJ Watt. Will miss covering him playing and his incredible events off the field as well pic.twitter.com/p1Jgu2qfwb
— Vanessa Richardson (@KPRC2Vanessa) May 31, 2021
Watt’s appreciation did not just stop with McIlvoy and Richardson. Here are just a few examples of what was seen on social media.
Best player in franchise history, even better off the field and a LoopHole? Good lord @jjwatt what a gift and a framer. Sad you’re gone, but can’t wait to see your next chapter, which will be even better on and off the field. @sportsradio610 #LoopHoles #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/EeivwA3SUk
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) May 27, 2021
What a cool gift, @JJWatt .. it’s been truly a pleasure covering the Texans chapter in a HOF career. Thanks for being such a kind soul and great Houstonian. This will be featured prominently in our home (the @AmyPendergast29 mention guarantees it!😂 .. big day for Amy!) Thx 🐐 pic.twitter.com/BVvSJMShEg
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) May 27, 2021
Seriously, @JJWatt?
— John P. Lopez (@LopezOnSports) May 27, 2021
This is why I've ALWAYS said, of the thousands of athletes I've covered over the years -- too many years and lots of great people -- you are No. 1.
Nice touch shouting out Gibson.
Go get 'em. pic.twitter.com/C4tQ64P2CX
For real... https://t.co/jlLx8Yr5jW pic.twitter.com/v6SVWWj0AD
— Matt Thomas (@SportsMT) May 28, 2021
Watt is the Texans’ all-time sacks leader (101.0), a three-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner (2012, 2014-15) and the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
The Texans selected Watt with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 128 games for the team across 10 seasons (2011-20). A five-time Pro Bowl selection and AP First-Team All-Pro (2012-15, 2018), Watt set franchise records in sacks (101.0), tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281) and forced fumbles (25) to go along with 531 total tackles, 61 passes defensed and 16 fumble recoveries. He owns the four highest single-season sack totals in team history (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018) and remains the only player in league history who has accumulated at least 15.0 percent of a single franchise’s sacks.
Watt is one of only three players in NFL history to win at least three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards, doing so in 2012 and 2014-15. Since entering the NFL in 2011, he leads the league in tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281), multi-sack games (26) and sack yards (713.5), while ranking second in sacks (101.0). In 2020, Watt, who led the NFL in sacks twice (2012 and 2015), became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to total 100.0 sacks, doing so in just his 120th career game.