Cardinals J.J. Watt explains timing of r

J.J. Watt has dealt with numerous injuries over the course of his Hall of Fame career, but his announcement on Tuesday that he's retiring after the season was met with some surprise.Watt has played well in his second season with the Cardinals, notching three sacks in a lo s to the Broncos le s than two weeks ago, and most importantly he's managed to stay healthy. Watt has played 14 of 15 games Blake Griffin Jersey after mi sing at least eight games in four of his previous six seasons.In a thoughtful pre s conference Wednesday, Watt cited a few reasons for his decision to step away from football."I'd much rather go out playing good football knowing that I could still play and knowing that hopefully people remember me playing good football," Watt said, adding that Chris Paul Jersey he didn't want to "go out limping."MORE:Retiring healthy is a luxury for Watt, who has dealt with serious knee, back, and pectoral injuries dating back to his time in Houston. Watt needs just a half-sack over the final two games for his sixth double-digit sack season."I have a whole life in front of me and I feel great. My body feels great. I'm really just looking forward to the future, whatever that may be," Watt said.Watt also indicated that losing was weighing on him. The Patrick Beverley Jersey Cardinals are 4-11 and have lost seven of their last eight games."The wins, the lo ses, the mental stre s and pa sion that comes with it. It just weighs on you. Montrezl Harrell Jersey It's heavy. I mean, it's really heavy. Lo ses are very tough to take," Watt told reporters.MORE: Watt said not winning a Super Bowl was once something he "wrestled" with, but he said Wednesday that he's at peace walking away without a championship."Did I win a championship? No. But I literally lived out a dream that millions of people would kill for," Watt told reporters.It's been a year of personal highs and lows for Watt, whose heart had to be "shocked back into rhythm" after an atrial fibrillation scare in September. He and his wife, Kealia, in October. Watt said the birth of his son was another factor in his retirement.MORE:While teams will almost certainly come calling this offseason and beyond, Watt clearly has thought through his decision to step away after one of the greatest careers of any defensive player in NFL history. The three- Paul George Jersey time Defensive Player of the Year is in line to be Hall of Fame eligible in 2028.