NFL Star Explains How He Pushes Through Challenges
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former NFL star JJ Watt knows how to handle himself in tough situations.
ESPN’s Sports Center reached out to Watt and asked, “Can you share a moment where you wanted to give up? What kept you going?”
He responded: “When I’m facing a difficult challenge or when something doesn’t go my way, I always try to turn it into a competition.
“It’s me against the adversity,” he continued. “Doesn’t matter what it is, whether it’s bouncing back from a poor performance, rehabbing an injury or just plain lack of motivation. Either I’m going to win or the adversity wins. So I break it down into the most digestible chunks possible.”
“What can I do right now to take me one step closer to where I want to be,” he added. “It might not be a big step, it might be something extremely simple. But it will start me on the right path and get the ball rolling.”
Watt concluded his response with a quote from Earl Nightingale:
Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
Since his retirement from the NFL after the 2022 season, Watt has enjoyed his time with family.
“I’m a very fortunate, lucky man, I have a beautiful wife, I have a beautiful son. I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great,” he told reporters in May.
He hasn’t totally ruled out returning to the sport, though.
He told Texans head coach, DeMeco Ryans, “Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I’ll be there. And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training [the way] I’ve been training.
“He knows he ever truly does need it, I’ll be there for him,” Watt added. “But I don’t anticipate that happening, because they have a very good crew. I hope that everybody stays extremely healthy, and they dominate, and they don’t need any bodies, and I just get to watch and enjoy it from the couch.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Watt’s retirement and the birth of his son, Koa:
NFL superstar JJ Watt recently announced his retirement after his final home game with the Arizona Cardinals this season.
The 33-year-old recently had his first child with his wife, Kealia.
“Koa’s first ever NFL game, my last ever NFL home game,” Watt wrote in a Tweet. “My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
“Love and happiness have reached heights we never even knew existed,” he wrote in a post about the birth of his first son. “Koa James Watt 10.23.22.”
