FORMER NFL star JJ Watt was convinced he could forge a career as a soccer goalkeeper – until he tried to save a shot from his wife.
The 35-year-old defensive end is married to ex-USWNT forward Kealia Watt.
Watt and Kealia invested in Premier League team Burnley last year and the five-time Pro Bowler has since developed a deep “passion” for the club.
The former Houston Texans DE joined English soccer stars Gary Neville and Ian Wright on Sky podcast Stick to Football to discuss the career venture.
Watt revealed he had considered trying to become a professional goalkeeper as he wasn’t “that good” with the ball at his feet.
“I said this [to my wife] very confidently – Given a few years to train, I would be a great goalkeeper,'” he told the panel.
“I was like, ‘I think I could legitimately be a professional keeper,’ and I was dead serious.
“My wife obviously was ribbing me about it and was like, ‘No, stop saying that.’
“So, during COVID, everything shut down. She had nobody to train with and I wanted to help her train.
“In our backyard in Wisconsin, we have a bunch of land, so we built a soccer field. And I was like, ‘Alright, here it goes. I’m going to play keeper and you shoot on me.’
“She dribbled across the top of the box and fired a shot in the upper 90. Zinged across, past my pad at 74 miles an hour.
“So, I said, ‘Okay, new rule. You don’t kick it from anywhere inside 20 yards.’
“I have the most newfound respect for keepers, and I no longer think I could be one!”
Watt experienced promotion to the Premier League with Burnley just months after completing his investment early last year.
But the team has struggled in the new campaign and is currently in the three-team relegation zone.
The NFL star accepts that another season in the Championship looks likely – but is confident the team can bounce straight back.
“It would be naive of us to not be planning for [relegation],” he continued.
“So, we are in our board meetings, all our discussions we are talking about what [staying in the Premier League or being relegated] would look like.
I have a new-found respect for goalkeepers.
JJ Watt after playing soccer against his wife
“I’m here for the fight. I’m an athlete, I am a part of this club now and I want to be here for it.
“I’m going to be right there in the Championship, fighting to get back up.”
Watt and Kealia married in 2020 and share one son, Koa, who was born in 2022.
Kealia is currently a free agent and last played for the Chicago Red Stars.
Across her soccer career, she has made 150 USWL appearances, scoring 35 goals.
JJ Watt was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
