At 36 years old, JJ (Justin James) Watt discovered Spanish football this weekend. The former NFL standout for a decade is now retired, focused on his work as a commentator for the American football league on CBS Sports and on his businesses, including Velocity Sports Limited, the investment group that bought the English Burnley and recently took control of Espanyol.
But Watt is, or wants to be, much more than a shareholder. Driven by the spirit of American show business, the giant from Pewaukee (Wisconsin), standing at 1.96 meters and weighing 130 kilograms, was seen this Saturday and Sunday in the surroundings of Turf Moor in Burnley and the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat. He mingled with the fans, drank beer with them, and learned the most repeated chants. "¡Forza Mágico Espanyol!" he posted on his social media.
Inside the stadium, he observed, this time from the VIP box, the comeback of Espanyol against Atlético de Madrid to achieve the first victory of this new era for Espanyol, aiming to move on from the nine-year presidency of Chen Yansheng and looking forward to the leadership of the Watt-led group, headed by businessman Alan Pace.
Pending approval from the CSD, the American group is already planning the future of the Barcelona team. They aim to reconnect the club with the fans, a relationship strained by unfulfilled promises from the previous president, which has seen a glimmer of hope and fun with Watt's appearance at Cornellà.
"Tonight we saw the best of the pericos. We saw what can be achieved when the team and the fans come together. One heartbeat. One mission. Thank you all for the warm welcome. You made us feel at home from the very beginning. There will be many more beers in the pre-games in the future," the former player wrote on his social media.
Watt promised to return to the stands at Cornellà, but starting in February, as his work as a NFL commentator requires him to be in the United States every Sunday from September until the Super Bowl in February. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to return until February due to my work (the NFL works on Sundays, just like the pericos), but I will be with you in spirit, energy, and passion. We are in excellent hands with Alan Pace, who only wants the best for the club and its future. Thank you for an incredible opening night. One that I will never forget. ¡Força Mágico Espanyol!" he concluded.
Watt is one of the NFL's biggest celebrities for his on-field performance and charisma off the field. He was selected three times as Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, and 2015), five times in the All-Pro first team, twice in the second team, five Pro Bowl appearances, 2017 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, and named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.
His best moments came with the Houston Texans, where he played from 2011 to 2020 before spending his last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Watt's arrival in Barcelona is another example of the interest that European football sparks in American athletes and celebrities. LeBron James, for instance, is part of the ownership group of Liverpool, Michael Phelps is involved with the company that owns Leeds United, Tom Brady with the group leading Birmingham City, and actor Ryan Reynolds has raised hopes for Wrexham, which even has a documentary on Netflix.