An NFL legend JJ Watt He urged Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer to show respect to his wife Kealia Wattthe name of
JJ, 37, Kealia, 34, and their son So3, attended Real Salt Lake's match against Burnley FC at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday, July 15, the club boasted on social media.
“Welcome to the Riot, @JJWatt and family 🤩,” Real Salt Lake posted via X with a photo of the family entering the arena.
However, JJ did not take kindly to his wife — a former professional soccer player and Utah native — who was not named in the acceptance letter.
“The woman in the photo literally grew up on the streets, won 4 Utah state championships (1 on this exact field), two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, National Player of the Year, scored the fastest first goal in USWNT history…,” JJ responded via X on Thursday, July 16.
He added, “It might have been talked about, but idk.”
Real Salt Lake realized their mistake and issued a mea culpa shortly after JJ's post went viral.
Kealia Watt, JJ Watt
Courtesy of JJ Watt/Instagram“We made an honest mistake yesterday and we are very sorry for that,” the team wrote on Thursday. “When we welcomed the Watt family to America First Field, we had to get to know Kealia Watt for who she really is.”
The post continued, “Kealia is a Utah native and one of the most decorated players ever to come out of this state. Kealia won four state championships with her team and four more in high school, and was a two-time Utah Gatorade Athlete of the Year. She was a member of the US national team at age 13. At the U-20 level, she scored the game-winning goal in the World Cup final.”
The Real Salt Lake listed many of Kealia's accomplishments, including four years at the University of North Carolina and her current role as an analyst for Prime Video, before her final apology.
“We are very sorry,” the group said to the Watt family. “Thank you for everything you do for sports.”
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All seems to be water on the bridge, as JJ retweeted the Real Salt Lake apology shortly after posting.
In addition to son Koa, JJ and Kealia welcomed a son Niko June 2025.
“Win with joy and gratitude,” JJ shared on Instagram at the time.
Since retiring from the NFL in 2022 after 12 seasons, JJ has worked for CBS Sports as a studio analyst and color analyst.
