J.J. Watt, a renowned defensive player in the NFL, is embarking on a new and inspiring journey in life. After announcing his retirement from professional football following the 2021-22 season,  he transitioned from the field to the world of investments and philanthropy.

“I certainly feel like I could still [play] if I wanted to. But I always wanted to walk away when I still had something left because you never want to run until the wheels fall completely off,” said Watt.

“I really wanted to walk away healthy and be able to spend time with my son and my wife and to be able to enjoy those moments and to not be trying to fix things with my body.”

The conclusion of this transition marks the end of an exceptional 12-season career, mainly with the Houston Texans, during which he established himself as a dominant force on the field. 

According to Spotrac.com, Watt’s financial success during his NFL career totaled $129,748,000, a testament to his business acumen and success beyond the field. Watt’s influence extends beyond football, displaying his varied skills and dedication to making a positive impact beyond the gridiron.

According to Sportskeeda.com, Watt earned revenue from endorsements such as Reebok, Gatorade, Ford, and Verizon, which allowed him to explore various opportunities. 

Investing in Burnley Football Club

One of Watt’s most notable post-retirement ventures is his investment in Burnley Football Club. Watt embraced this new challenge alongside his former professional soccer player wife. He praised the team’s culture and ownership, highlighting the collaborative and inclusive approach that drew him to Burnley.

“When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition,” said Watt in a statement released by the club. “We understand that not only are we investing in the squad and manager, but we’re also investing in the town and its people. We take that responsibility very seriously and intend to work hard [on] earning their trust and support.”

Kealia Watt added, “In the US, I’ve seen the NWSL grow into something really incredible, and we’d love to be a part of growing the women’s team here and be a part of their journey.”

Unlike the NFL, where ownership stakes are expensive and influence is limited, Watt found a meaningful role within Burnley’s ownership group. This allegiance allows him to contribute while learning the intricacies of sports management.

In a recent interview with The Overlap Podcast, J.J. Watt answers why he invested in Burnley instead of an NFL team.

“People say, do you want to invest in an NFL team? Well, sure, but there’s $7 billion. And you’re putting in point 0.001%. Why would the owner ever listen to you or have any sort of say? I wanted to come to a club and find an ownership group that would allow me to A) learn about the process and B) have a little bit of, you know, say and really feel like I was a part of it. And that’s what happened.”

J.J. Watt’s Other Business Investments

According to Crunchbase.com, the future professional football Hall of Famer invested in four companies: Athletic Brewing, Future Co, Hyperice, and Public.com. His success in these ventures is a testament to his business acumen, and he can inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

He is also an investor in Pop Up Bagels. Last year, during an appearance on The Profile with Polina Pompliano, Watt shared his investment strategy when investing in a business venture.

“Just like anybody else, it’s all about deal flow and opportunities coming across your table. You need to read through them and understand the finances and concepts to ensure you know what you want as an investor. Am I the smartest, most brilliant business mind of all time? Absolutely not. But do I know what I like and what I’m comfortable investing in? Yes,” said Watt.

“Anytime I make an investment, I have to assume that I’m going to lose every single dollar. That’s just the simple way it goes. So whenever I’m looking at a deck or opportunities that come across my desk, I ask myself if I believe in it enough to think it can be extremely successful. Also, if this business goes completely to zero, am I okay with that? And third, do I enjoy it? Is it something I actually want to be a part of?”

He added, “Pop-Up Bagels [is] a perfect example. I ate that bagel and thought, ‘Yes, how do I get involved? Athletic Brewing is probably my best investment so far. What Bill has done with that company is incredible. I passed on their Series A round but got in on Series B because I couldn’t initially see the appeal of non-alcoholic beer. But I’ve been involved ever since, and it’s been incredible. It’s fun to watch and be a part of. I’ve made mistakes early on because I didn’t know what I was doing. You have to make mistakes to figure out what you want to do. I still have plenty of mistakes, but I’m much more focused on my investments now and don’t take as many swings as I used to.”

Navigating the Next Chapter

Retirement opened new doors for Watt, allowing him to explore various interests and opportunities. In 2020, he hosted “Saturday Night Live,” showcasing his charisma and talent in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Watt delved into the sports media world, joining CBS Sports as an NFL studio analyst in 2023. 

“I love the game too much to be away from it entirely. I’m very excited to join CBS Sports and contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms, including working alongside and learning from JB, Coach, Boomer, Phil, and Nate this fall,” said Watt.   “Hopefully, fans will enjoy the insights and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL, and if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”

Pat McAfee announced Watt will be a regular on the Pat McAfee Show during the NFL season. 

“Ladies and gentlemen… J.J. Watt will be joining us every single Wednesday throughout the NFL season.”

@patmcafeeshowofficial Ladies and Gentlemen…J.J. Watt will be joining us EVERY SINGLE Wednesday throughout the NFL season. @JJ Watt #jjwatt #houston #houstontexans #texansfootball #texas #texans #arizona #arizonacardinals #cardinalsfootball #cardinals #nfl #nflfootball #wattwednesdays #football #footballtok #footballtiktok #espn #patmcafee #sports #patmcafeeshow #thepatmcafeeshow #thepatmcafeeshowclips #mcafee ♬ original sound – Pat McAfee Show Clips

In a recent interview with The Profile, Watt expressed his excitement about retirement while acknowledging the difficulty of choosing a single path.

“There are plenty of things that are great about retirement—it’s tons of fun; I love it,” he said. But the one thing you miss is going up against the best in the world and seeing where you stack up on a weekly basis.”

These roles allow him to stay connected to the sport he loves while sharing his insights and experiences with a broader audience.

Finding the Next Adrenaline Rush

Despite his attempts at activities like golf and weightlifting, something must match the energy and excitement of competing on the field. Regardless, he is still enthusiastic about retirement possibilities, particularly spending quality time with his wife, Kealia, and their son, Koa.

“There’s no doubt that as you see the promotions start rolling in and knowing the game is coming up, you definitely have that competitive edge where you’re like, ‘I could still do this,’” Watt told the New York Post.

 “I definitely could go out there if I wanted to still play well. But then there’s the other part of you — that when I woke up this morning, my body felt great, my knees felt good, my back felt good because nobody’s hitting me every single day. So, I always remind myself at any time where I start to get that itch, like, ‘should I? ‘ — I just remember, ‘Oh yeah. No, I enjoy waking up feeling great.’”

Philanthropy and Community Impact

A cornerstone of Watt’s post-football endeavors is the Justin J. Watt Foundation. This 501(c)(3) organization focuses on supporting middle school athletic programs that lack sufficient funding. By providing these programs, the foundation offers children a safe, structured environment to participate in sports, fostering teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. These experiences enrich the children’s lives and lay a foundation of values that will serve them well beyond their athletic pursuits.

“When we started this back when I was in college, the whole reason was because I saw that not everybody had the same opportunities,” Watt said. “I don’t think that’s fair for middle school kids to be punished because adults can’t afford things. I’m really fortunate that we have so many people that share the same feelings and are willing to come out and support and donate.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Watt spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised over $41 million to aid Houston’s recovery. This extraordinary effort showcases his dedication to community service and ability to mobilize support for a worthy cause. The Justin J. Watt Foundation supports middle school athletic programs in underfunded communities, providing children with opportunities to participate in sports and learn valuable life skills.

“It’s very tough to watch your city get hit by such a bad storm and not be there to help,” Watt said, asking fans to donate any amount through an online link. “There’s going to be a whole bunch of people we need to help get back on their feet. I know there’s going to be a lot we need to do to help rebuild. Houston’s a great city, and we’re going to come out of this stronger than ever, but we’re going to need a lot of money to help people rebuild.”

J.J. Watt’s retirement marks the start of an exciting new chapter full of potential and possibilities. His diverse skills and ambitions come to life with investments, philanthropic efforts, and ventures in business and media. Watt wants to make a difference and inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same dedication and passion that defined his football career.