Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt played the final game of his storied career this past Sunday.
Although Watt’s team ended up getting blown out by the San Francisco 49ers, he still recorded two sacks in the losing effort.
Ahead of the future Hall of Famer’s final pro outing, he received something of a strange gift from a fan in the mail.
Watt shared the gift on social media:
I have received a lot of wild fan mail over the years.
This package that arrived today is certainly being added to the list. pic.twitter.com/dxBi0rTwHE
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 5, 2023
With social media being what it is nowadays, reactions to the box and its contents poured in immediately.
A number of the responses ended up going viral:
Awesome! https://t.co/mzn6FWYi2S
— Gail aka super G (@TheTwinGardener) January 9, 2023
Boxing up and mailing an animal is egregious https://t.co/sBtQy8YcRb
— (@MightBaGuerrero) January 7, 2023
It’s really something that he didn’t say “this is by far the craziest” and he simply says “it’s being added to the list.” Makes you wonder what else he’s gotten https://t.co/QwcDiJk9Cs
— Tony Castricone (@Castricone) January 7, 2023
Oh my god https://t.co/jVKut1LbdN
— Jrue Peacock (@Jruepeacock22) January 6, 2023
Don’t let @_TJWatt and @DerekWatt34 feel left out!
Someone needs to step up and send them a taxidermized badger too!
Also, badgers have SIX nipples.
The @steelers have SIX Super Bowl rings.
Hmmmmm…#HereWeGo https://t.co/r3Zl3s0izo— Mikey (@fsmikey) January 6, 2023
Fascinating stuff.
Weird gifts aside, Watt finished the 2022-23 NFL season with 12.5 sacks. That puts him second all-time as far as sacks by a player in his last season behind Jamir Miller of the Cleveland Browns.
By any objective measure, Watt could still be a valuable contributor in the NFL. He is just choosing to move on.
Considering his head coach has spent the better part of this season more concerned with ogling his much-too-young girlfriend than winning games, it is hard to blame Watt for wanting out.
Kyler Murray being a temperamental prima donna also probably didn’t help matters much.
Classy stuff as always by the Steelers. https://t.co/M2zRpNQ7dY
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 9, 2023
Watt’s legacy is etched in stone at this point. There is nothing left for him to accomplish.
Hopefully he finds as much success and happiness in his post-playing career as he did as an active star in the NFL.
Related: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett’s Girlfriend Goes Viral Before TCU Game (Photos)
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.