WATT A LOSS
J.J. Watt announces his release from Texans in heartfelt video
Feb 12, 2021, 11:01 am
WATT A LOSS
It was the news Houston Texans fans have been dreading. And so, it came from the hometown hero himself.
"I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time," J.J. Watt announced in a Twitter video on February 12.
Appearing in what appears to be his home or his getaway cabin, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and face of the team since 2011 described being "a kid from Wisconsin who had never been to Texas before.
Sporting a white cap and University of Wisconsin sweatshirt, he joked about being booed by Texans fans on draft night in 2011, but "...every day after that you've treated me like family and I truly feel like your family," he added.
Houston, I wanted you to hear this directly from me... pic.twitter.com/YqT3P6Lb6l
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 12, 2021
Watt then said that he worked every day to earn fans' respect and make them proud on and off the field. "You guys have given me everything and more and I can only hope you feel like I've given you everything I have."
The future Hall of Famer expressed his love for this "unbelievable" city, noting that this is where he met his wife (soccer star Kealia Ohai) and made lifelong friends and teammates. He praised teammates, the front office, and the most humble of team staff.
He also gave a shout out to fans who would stop him everywhere, even those showing up at his house. "The connection is special," Watt said, adding that he would "never ever" take it for granted.
So Watt's next? The superstar said he was "excited and looking forward to a new opportunity," but added that it is "tough to move on." He thanked the team, McNair and family, adding a warm, "thank you Houston, I love you."
Watt is one of only three players in NFL history to win at least three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards, in 2012, 2014, and 2015. 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, per team stats.
Famously in 2017, he raised a massive $41 million in Hurricane Harvey relief aid.
"Simply put, there has been no person in the past decade who has made a greater impact on the Texans organization than J.J. Watt," said co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair, in a statement.
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Jalen Green scored 33 points for Houston, and Phoenix star Kevin Durant left with an ankle injury in the Rockets' 148-109 romp over the Suns on Sunday night.
Durant fell to the floor with 6:57 left in the third quarter after he stepped on Rockets Jabari Smith Jr.‘s foot. Durant got to his feet, but could not put weight on his left leg. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Durant will have an MRI on Monday and will not accompany the team to Milwaukee for a game Tuesday night.
Durant finished with 11 points in 23 minutes, but the Rockets were already well ahead, having taken a 78-49 lead at halftime. Houston (49-26) has won 12 of its last 13 and is second in the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of Denver.
Alperen Sengun had 16 points and nine rebounds and rookie Amen Thompson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Rockets. Neither played in the fourth quarter as Houston led by 42 points.
Devin Booker scored 28 points for the Suns, who fell two games behind Dallas for the final play-in spot in the West with six games remaining. It was Phoenix’s third loss in a row.
Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was ejected i n the second quarter after a brief shoving match with Durant. He was assessed two technical fouls while Durant and Nick Richards each received one.
Rockets: The Rockets are 12-4 in March with a game remaining.
Suns: Own the tiebreaker against the Mavericks based on winning the season series from Dallas. But with or without Durant, five of their last six games are against playoff teams.
After Brooks’ ejection, Houston outscored Phoenix 23-11 the rest of the half to lead by 29 at the break.
Phoenix committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Houston points.
The Rockets are at the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The Suns are at Milwaukee on Tuesday night.