11 January 2023 , 19:40
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After 12 brilliant seasons in the NFL it's finally time for JJ Watt to bow out, but the now former defensive end has been left in tears after an emotional video was put together by the Arizona Cardinals.
Watt played his final NFL game on Sunday as they faced off against San Francisco 49ers. The team tipped for a playoff charge beat the Cardinals 38-13 on Watt's big day, but the DE managed to get two sacks on Brock Purdy to go out in style.
The three-time defensive player of the year has earned the respect of so many over the course of his career, starring for both Houston Texans and the Cardinals. And many NFL stars reached out as the Cardinals put together a send-off video, leaving Watt in tears.
The night before Watt's final game, a team meeting was called as usual to discuss the big game. But this one ended slightly differently as Watt was singled out before a pre-prepared video was played.
NFL icons such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers all sent messages in support of Watt, and even brothers TJ and Derek - who are also in the NFL - spoke about how proud they are.
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It was an emotional video paying tribute to his actions, while family members also hailed the former Cardinals star. And even someone as tough as Watt couldn't fight back the tears as his decision to retire became a reality.
"I absolutely lost it," Watt said. "I was bawling like a baby, and I didn't stop until long into the night. I mean, the highlight videos are great, all the plays are cool, but when you hear from the people in your life that are important, from my family, from my friends, and then you hear from people you have the utmost respect for, teammates, coaches, opponents, it hit me in a different way that I never expected."
Brady even joked in the video that Watt was a "pain in the a**" over the past decade as he would regularly try to haul the quarterback down. But even the best to ever do it acknowledged how good his opponent was at his job.
Watt was of course emotional at the end of Sunday's defeat to the 49ers, and the DE would've loved to go out with a win. But the 49ers are proving to be a real handful this season, and a potential playoff contender.
"I wish the game had gone differently in many ways, but I'm thankful and grateful and I'll always remember it, that's for sure," Watt said. The Cardinals finished with a regular season record of 4-12, and were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago.