Arizona Cardinals defensive end and future Hall of Famer Justin James Watt played his 151st and final game as he stepped onto the field against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Fans of both teams gave him a standing ovation in recognition of his huge impact in the NFL, and made it a truly memorable night for him, as he soaked it all in with his wife, Kealia Watt, and their son, Koa, on the gridiron.
Advertisement
Of all the people sharing in his journey, perhaps the most important and steadfast ally he’s had is his wife. Kealia, a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, married JJ Watt in 2020, culminating a dating period of around 4 years. She’s had immense success as a soccer player, having also represented the United States in the U-17, U-20, U-23, and senior teams.
Born on 31 January 1992 to Ben and Cindy Ohai, she was raised in Draper, Utah. She played soccer since her childhood, representing the Avalanche Soccer Club, and the Alta High School in her youth. She played for the University of North Carolina during her college days. Watt was picked second overall by the Houston Dash in the 2014 NWSL Draft and traded to the Chicago Red Stars in 2020.
Also Read: Deebo Samuel Injury Update: Will He See Action Against The Arizona Cardinals In Week 18?
JJ Watt and Kealia Watt’s story
JJ first met Kealia during his time with the Houston Texans. His then-teammate Brian Cushing, who is married to Kealia’s elder sister Megan, introduced them. The couple started dating in 2016 and were engaged in 2019. They married each other in 2020, choosing the Bahamas as their venue. The couple has a son named Koa James Watt, born in October 2022.
Perhaps the most interesting fact about Kealia Watt, is that she’s legally blind in her left eye. Making it an incredible feat that she is playing soccer at the highest level. She also scored the winning goal in the finals of the U-20 world cup back in 2012, held in Japan.
Her Husband, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer JJ Watt, received a wonderful reception from his teammates and fans on Sunday. He leaves the league with staggering stats, a testament to his love for the game. In 151 games, he has 449 tackles and 114.5 sacks. He also has 6 touchdowns in the regular season, scoring 38 points while on the defense.
Watt reportedly received an emotional gift from his team on Saturday, in the form of a video tribute. It included personal messages from big shots in the NFL, including Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. His brother, T.J. Watt, also makes an appearance in the video.
