JJ Watt reflects on Jason Kelce's 'unbelievable career,' explains why he was so 'frustrating to play against'

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J.J. Watt was in tears walking off the field for what he knew would be his final NFL game in 2022 with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Jason Kelce was not sure what he would do next, but after making things official earlier this month that he would be done, the tears were flowing during his 45-minute-long retirement speech in Philadelphia. 

As Kelce reflected on his illustrious career as the Philadelphia Eagles’ center, Watt did his own reflection about how "frustrating" it was playing against him.

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Former NFL player J.J. Watt visits the set of the Amazon Prime "Thursday Night Football" pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

"He’s frustrating to play against, man. He’s too smart. He’s too athletic. He can do it all," Watt told Fox News Digital while discussing his new partnership with DICK’S House of Sport, DICK’S Sporting Goods’ more massive, experiential store. "He’s just a good dude also."

Watt and Kelce both entered the NFL at the same time, though the former knew where he was going well before the latter. Coming out of Wisconsin, Watt was one of the premier prospects on the defensive line, and the Houston Texans took him 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

EAGLES' JASON KELCE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NFL

He may have had a slow start to his career (5.5 sacks in 16 games), but he broke out in 2012 with 20.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss, going on to win AP Defensive Player of the Year and being named first-team All-Pro for the first of five