J.J. Watt stepped off the gridiron for the final time after a 12-season pro career, but the former University of Wisconsin football star still wants to stay in shape.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who spent the 2023 season as an analyst for CBS, has been able to dedicate more time to his family since retirement as he is a new father of a child who just turned one.
While he is preparing for his fourth wedding anniversary with wife Kealia Ohai Watt later this month, he hasn’t neglected the work ethic that helped shape his NFL career that will lead him to the Hall of Fame.
In the midst of being in Las Vegas for the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl, he found himself being kicked out of a hotel gym. It took place at The Encore.
“Alright, I need some opinions here. I gotta know if I’m in the wrong. So yesterday, near the end of the day, want to get a workout in. 6:30pm, Go down to the hotel gym, put my air pods in. Get the workout going, get a nice lather. About 30 minutes in somebody comes in taps me on the shoulder. Take the Airpod out, “Yes What’s up?” He said said “I’m sorry sir. We’re closed,” I said, “what’s closed? The gym? The gyms closed?” I said, “seven o’clock. What do you mean the gyms closed?” “Yeah, we close at seven o’clock I’m sorry. You got to get out.”
Seven o’clock. What hotel gym closes at seven o’clock? What’s gonna get stolen in hotel gym? Is somebody going to walk out with a Woodway? Are we going to have 45 pound plates headed out the door? maybe nine? Midnight? But I mean, majority of hotel gyms are 24 hours. Just go in there. Use the gym. Clean up after yourself. Get out. I mean, seven o’clock. Am I wrong? am I crazy? Because I walked out of that gym with a sweat going. Just kind of like ‘maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m the idiot here.’ But I feel like that is a little early to be closing down your hotel gym.”
That is just plain ridiculous. Unfortunately, the pandemic has changed so many things that we used to love and Las Vegas is no exception.
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In his farewell season, Watt managed to recapture some of his past glory, amassing 12.5 sacks – his highest total in several years. While he still possesses the ability to perform at an elite level, he chose to retire on his terms, with the desire to enjoy a healthy retirement and spend valuable time with his family.
This season, for the first time since 2010, he was watching the NFL from the sidelines during Week 1 through 17 and now in the playoffs. Although he flirted with a comeback with the Houston Texans, he appears to be set in his retirement.
