J.J. Watt and Pat McAfee tried their hand at soccer on Wednesday as the pair of ex-NFL players took the field at The Soccer Tournament.
Watt, who is a part-owner of Burnley, represented the Clarets and tried to wreak havoc with his massive frame as he crashed into defenders during a second-half cameo.
The former Texans defensive end, who described himself as a ‘cherry-picking’ striker before the match, even broke loose for a one-on-one with the opposing goalie but saw his shot saved.
Burnley lost the match 7-3 to Nati SC, though Watt appeared to be in reasonably good spirits after the match.
As he walked off the field, he greeted his parents – both of whom were both wearing his name on a Clarets shirt – in a heartwarming moment.
J.J. Watt is seen coming off the field on Wednesday after making a cameo for Burnley
Pat McAfee told Mail Sport he was happy he ‘didn’t tear anything’ after he played
Watt threw his massive frame around for Burnley and tried to win some headers up front
He also stuck around to sign some autographs.
McAfee, meanwhile, saw his CONCAFA SC lost 4-1 to the Reggae Rovers despite his side recruiting former USMNT stars Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea.
He told Mail Sport after the game that he was merely glad he ‘didn’t tear anything,’ and later joked during a live taping of his ESPN show on location in North Carolina that he didn’t touch the ball.
With a large crowd gathered to watch McAfee’s show, Watt joined him onstage as the program began with fans going wild for them both. Some were even sporting the former punters Indianapolis Colts jersey.
McAfee’s appearance at the tournament comes amid a controversial week for his show, after he referred to Caitlin Clark as a ‘white b***h’ live on air in a strange defense of the WNBA rookie.
The ESPN host later apologized for his remarks on X, while Watt vouched for his friend’s character during TST’s media day on Tuesday.
‘I haven’t seen the whole clip,’ Watt said. ‘I would assume Pat – he’s always been extremely complimentary [of women’s sports], I know he has courtside tickets to the Fever games.
J.J. Watt walked off the field to find his parents wearing his name on a Burnley shirt
Watt joined McAfee on his ESPN show on Wednesday after pair had both played soccer
Caitlin Clark has dominated the headlines after being fouled hard by Chennedy Carter
He later continued, ‘I think seeing more light shined on those sports is always a good thing. And I think the people are certainly wading through the waters trying to do it the right way.’
The pair taped the show just feet from soccer legend Sergio Aguero, whose self-named team lost 6-3 right behind them.
The retired forward nearly came to blows with an opponent during a tense second half
McAfee and Watt will face off on Thursday, and the latter saw a familiar face on Wednesday as former Bengals receiver Chad Johnson also suited up for Nati SC.
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