JJ and Kealia Watt teamed up to help coach a youth soccer clinic in Houston last week, where the athletic couple told PEOPLE they were enjoying their first summer as retirees with their 10-month-old son, Ko. “It’s a very different fall for us, but we’re very excited about it,” JJ, 34, tells PEOPLE. “It’s also nice to have a few moments to relax, take a breath and spend time with our family,”
JJ, who retired from the NFL after last season, spoke to PEOPLE alongside wife Kealia, a former member of the US Women’s National Soccer Team who is retiring after the 2021 NWSL season. The couple welcomed their first son, Koa, last October.
Recently, the new parents teamed up with Frito-Lay to help announce that the brand will make a $300,000 donation to GenYouth, a program that helps ensure school children have access to healthy food and physical activity.
“Kids are the future, they’re the next generation, they’re everything, and we just want to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed,” JJ said. “We understand that we were very fortunate growing up and that not everyone has the same luxury, and we just want to make sure that every child has access to food and sports.”
JJ Watt cools off in the water with his 8-month-old son Ko in cute photo: ‘Training Camp 2023’
Kealia Watt and JJ Watt.
Frito-Lay North America
The Watts smiled proudly as they explained how Koa was already interested in sports.
“I guess in the future we’ll be coaches in some capacity,” said JJ, 34, adding that his favorite toy this summer was a soccer ball.
“He likes to chase it around and kick it,” JJ said.
The Watts said their summer was full of travel, often visiting with his siblings so Koa could spend time with his five cousins. Kealia’s sister, Megan Cushing, has three boys, and JJ’s brother, Derek Watt, has two sons.
“We loved it. We traveled so much with him,” said Kealia. “It was really, really special.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.JJ says their son “loves the water,” whether it’s in the pool or putting his feet in the lake. “He just loves being outside and it’s so much fun for us to watch him as a kid and watch him hang out with his cousins and play outside and learn about the world,” JJ said. “It’s crazy to watch. Now he’s 10 months old and watching him figure it all out is really cool.”
The new dad paused and smiled before adding, “There’s nothing on the planet better than seeing your son smile at you. Parenting is also very exhausting, and tiring, and kind of sleep-deprived and all that stuff, but the positives are just the best.”
JJ joked that he also “feels great” because he is not preparing for football this fall. “Nobody beat me,” he said. “It was great and I’m very happy.”
JJ Watt Announces Joining CBS Sports as NFL Analyst: ‘Let’s Have Some Fun’
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JJ watt.
Frito-Lay North America
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year began his new job Sept. 3 as an analyst for CBS’ football coverage. “I can just sit back and enjoy everything and be everybody’s fan,” Watt said, sounding relaxed about his new gig. His job will also include occasionally analyzing the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his brothers TJ and Derrick play. Watt admitted without hesitation “yes,” he might have some biases this year. “If people ask me who’s the best defensive player in the league, I’ll say, ‘Hey, I’m not even biased, but TJ is the best,'” he laughed. “Yes, I’m a little biased. But I feel like it’s okay when there’s blood.”
JJ Watt visited pub ‘to do research’ after buying England football team: ‘It was a lot of fun’
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JJ Watt.
Frito-Lay North America
Aside from visiting family this summer, the Watts have kept busy with their professional lives. The couple announced earlier this year that they had bought an ownership stake in Burnley FC, a football team that plays in the English Premier League.
“It was amazing,” Kealia said. “We love traveling to England and obviously I love football and I grew up playing it, so now to be part of a Premier League team is just a dream come true.” Kealia said she misses playing soccer because of watching the games, but admitted it’s nice not having to worry about injuries. JJ said with a laugh that he would “love” Kealia to come out of retirement and play for Burnley’s women’s team, “but her contract demands are just ridiculous.”
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JJ Watt.
Frito-Lay North America
JJ said he and Kealia get “almost more” of a rush watching the games instead of playing in them “because you can’t control the outcome.” “When we play, we can at least have some influence on whether we’re successful or not,” JJ said. “But when we’re on the ownership side, we sit in the stands and can’t do anything. We just hope our guys hit the back of the net. So the adrenaline is flowing through you and sometimes you can pull your hair out.” Kaelia says the Watts are “quite intense” when they watch Burnley play. JJ even admitted that he “lost his mind” after the referee made a debatable decision during a recent game. “Well yeah,” laughed JJ, “we still have the competitive juices.”
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Source: HIS Education