Sunday’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers will mark the final game in the legendary career of J.J. Watt, who announced his retirement after Week 16. And as the Cardinals took off for the Bay Area, Watt honored a legend.
On the plane ride, Watt was wearing a Pat Tillman shirt, honoring Arizona’s former safety who joined the Army after the 2001 NFL season and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.
Watt posted a photo on his Instagram, with the caption “Pat.” The Cardinals also posted the tribute on their Twitter page with the message “For Pat,” along with a heart.
For Pat ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lNPpqtuBPY
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 7, 2023
Football fans honored Watt’s choice.
“Going to miss this #classy competitor. Thanks, @JJWatt,” one fan tweeted.
Another fan simply called the tribute “awesome.”
“I love JJ Watt!! Gonna miss him a ton! Let’s have some fun!” said Andy Kwong, writer for Revenge of the Birds.
Going to miss this #classy competitor. Thanks, @JJWatt https://t.co/eMxQ0WpatB
— Sandra (@SandraRay16) January 7, 2023
Awesome. https://t.co/HwQlI4M4q2
— Doug Tammaro (@DougTammaro) January 8, 2023
I love JJ Watt!!
Gonna miss him a ton! Let's have some fun! https://t.co/CCtptaT72y
— Andy Kwong (@akwong31) January 7, 2023
Jim Omohundro, a longtime manager and producer for the Cardinals radio broadcasts, also commended the move and noted that Watt’s final game will be close to Tillman’s hometown.
“The @AZCardinals are staying in Pat Tillman’s hometown of San Jose. Great choice by @JJWatt to honor Pat on the flight to Watt’s final @NFL game,” he said.
The @AZCardinals are staying in Pat Tillman’s hometown of San Jose. Great choice by @JJWatt to honor Pat on the flight to Watt’s final @NFL game. https://t.co/3kRt99h51q
— Jim Omohundro (@jimohms) January 7, 2023
Indeed, Leland High School, Tillman’s alma mater, is less than 20 miles from Levi’s Stadium, where Watt’s NFL career will end in Week 18.
[Arizona Cardinals on Twitter, Photo Credit: J.J. Watt on Instagram]
Related: J.J. Watt shares hilarious story of teammate’s reaction to his retirement