Comment on this storyComment
JJ Watt is busy in retirement, but no, his next gig won’t be at a major drugstore chain.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year had to make an audible tone Thursday after initially telling the world in a Twitter caption that he “just got a job at CVS.”
Watt quickly released another tweet clarifying that he had been hired by CBS Sports. According to a network announcement Thursday, Watt will join the cast of his NFL pregame studio show and also contribute as a league analyst across multiple platforms.
“We are extremely excited to welcome JJ to the CBS Sports family and add one of the greatest defensive players of all time to our team,” network president David Berson said in a statement. “As he leaves the field after a career in the Hall of Fame, JJ brings deep passion, unique insights and opinions from today’s NFL. We think fans will love what JJ brings to our coverage.”
After starting his collegiate career as a tight end in Central Michigan, Watt relocated to his home state of Wisconsin and switched to the defensive end. His outstanding performance with the Badgers resulted in Watt being drafted 11th overall in 2011 by the Houston Texans, with whom he played for ten seasons.
Selected for five Pro Bowls, Watt received the league’s 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his philanthropic efforts. Watt ended his career with the Arizona Cardinals when he was two years old, then announced in December that he would be retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
Analysis | Like him or not, Pat McAfee is exactly what ESPN wants to be
Watt’s first major venture after retirement was revealed in a joint last month Notice with his wife Kealia that they would invest in English football club Burnley. Kealia Watt, a free agent professional soccer player who competed for the US national team, said in a statement that she is keen to help the club develop its women’s team.
“I am in love [football] too much to back away from entirely,” Watt said in a statement shared by CBS Sports on Thursday. He added that he was “very excited” to join NFL Today host James Brown and panelists Bill Cowher, Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason and Nate Burleson.
“Hopefully fans will enjoy the insight and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL,” Watt said, “and if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”
At least a few fans were probably laughing at Watt’s Twitter slip-up. In his follow-up, he told viewers: “Little pro tip for anyone out there starting a new job: don’t screw up the announcement. It’s not a good start to a day, especially when the job is on a global network with millions and millions of viewers and hundreds of Emmys – you just want to get off to a better start.”
Citing the fact that his two younger siblings, linebacker TJ Watt and fullback Derek Watt, both play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Watt said in his tweeted video that he’s looking forward to “having a global platform to play on.” can make fun of my brothers.” ”
Watt follows another high-profile name who qualified in the NFL last season, Matt Ryan, to CBS Sports. Ryan, a longtime quarterback nominated by the network for both studio and in-game analysis, said last month that while he’s “excited” about his new chapter, he hasn’t closed the book on his playing career.
Give this item as a gift