Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt made the day of a starstruck fan in New York on Saturday.
Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt made the day of a starstruck fan in New York on Saturday.Chris Gardner/Getty Images
The old adage of "never meet your heroes" didn't apply to Douglas Sandstorm this weekend.
Sandstorm, a New York resident, revealed a dose of shame on social media Saturday morning after a missed opportunity during his breakfast in Greenwhich Village, in which he spotted Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt, but didn't have the guts to approach Watt and say hello. Sandstorm lamented the moment on X, believing the opportunity of a lifetime passed him by. His disappointment quickly turned to delight hours later.
Article continues below this ad
Watt quote-tweeted Sandstorm's post, then simply asked "are you still in the area?" After a short exchange of messages, Sandstorm revealed he was at O'Hara's, a bar in New York's Financial District. It didn't take long for Watt to join him, and just before Noon ET, Sandstorm posted a picture of he and Watt together smiling and holding a pair of Guinness beers.
Watt made countless clutch plays during his NFL career. His arrival at O'Hara's on Saturday rivals any moment on the gridiron.
Watt has remained in the public eye plenty in the years following his last NFL snap in 2022. He's currently both an NFL analyst on CBS and a European soccer club owner, a major investor in both Burnley F.C. in England and RCD Espanyol in Spain. He's a father of two with his wife Kealia—a former NWSL standout for the Chicago Red Stars and the Houston Dash—and Watt served as one of Houston's lead ambassadors in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Article continues below this ad
image
Smart, funny and sometimes unhinged look at the week that was.
By signing up, you agree to ourTerms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in ourPrivacy Policy.
The Texans' legend is as personable in retirement as he was dominant during his playing days. Saturday was the latest example, in which an adoring friend quickly became a friend for life.
More News