Watt, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, stated he played his “final ever” home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday.

JJ Watt Retirement Announcement

Not only was @JJWatt one of the most dominant defenders of his generation, he was also one of the greatest men off the field.

After Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas in 2017, he raised over $37 million towards relief efforts in just 19 days. ❤️ #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/PyKFchttWF

— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2022

“On Twitter, my heart is filled with nothing but love and thanks,” Watt tweeted. “It’s been both an honor and a pleasure.”

The Cardinals’ final two games of the season are on the road, with games against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and the San Francisco 49ers on January 8.

Also read; Monday Night Football: Matt Ryan officially a healthy scratch

“The pleasure was all ours,” the Cardinals responded in a tweet.

Watt, a renowned pass rusher, is almost certainly on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he will be eligible in 2028.

The 33-year-old was voted Defensive Player of the Year three times, tying him with Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most in league history.

According to the NFL, the seven-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection was picked with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, where he spent his first ten seasons. With 101 career sacks, he holds the Texans franchise record.

Also read: NFL News: Brett Rypien, Dalton Risner downplay sideline dust-up

Watt signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals as a free agent in March 2021.

Watt is well-known for his work outside of football. He began on what would be his most career-defining charity initiative to date after Hurricane Harvey devastated neighborhoods surrounding Houston and the rest of the Gulf Coast in August 2017.

Watt raised more than $37 million for victims of Harvey’s flooding and devastation through a You Caring campaign. And a lot of social media exposure, and the support of some celebrity pals. He received the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his charitable. And volunteer initiatives as a result of his fundraising.

Watt has two brothers who play in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, T.J. and Derek. The three Watt brothers were all football players at the University of Wisconsin.

JJ Watt announced earlier this season in a social media post that he has undergone treatment for atrial fibrillation. An abnormal heartbeat described by many sufferers as a “quiver,” “flutter,” or “flip-flop” of the heart.