J.J. Watt, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, understands that he might not be able to walk at age 50 because of the toll football is taking on his body.
The 27-year-old Watt could end up missing a game for the first time in his career as he recovers from back surgery for a herniated disc in July.
Last year, Watt dealt with a fractured hand and groin injuries but still played in all 16 games. He was hampered by the groin injury in the Texans’ 30-0 wild-card loss to the Chiefs. He had just one assisted tackle in game.
“I live with the fact that while I am playing, I am going to give everything I have, and I will live with those consequences,” Watt told Men’s Journal via Fox Sports. “Maybe when I’m 50 I won’t be able to walk, and I will say, ‘You were young and stupid.’ But right now this is my mentality.”
Watt reportedly had to be driven from the locker room to his car after last year’s playoff loss. Texans punter Shane Lechler said that Watt struggled to get out of his car when he visited him during the offseason.
Watt has been named a First Team All-Pro in each of the last four seasons and he’s been the defensive player of the year in three of the last four seasons. But if he’s starting to see the consequences of the game when he’s 50, it wouldn’t be surprising if Watt doesn’t play much longer after turning 30.