J.J. Watt, spitting is routine, home and away
By Mike Dyce
Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks off the field after the AFC divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Watt had New England Patriots fans fired up before yesterday’s AFC Divisional round match up. Multiple reporters at the game said Watt went to midfield in pre game warm ups and spit on the Patriots logo and wiped his feet.
This is all word of math from reporters and there is no accompanying video or photographic evidence that Watt did this, but nevertheless social media got wind and it was circulating the web as “spitgate.”
Disrespecting logos isn’t an uncommon incident. Famously Terrell Owens, as a San Francisco 49er, danced on the star at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. On his second attempt he was hit by Dallas Cowboys safety George Teague.
But Watt is defending his actions saying that is simply routine, whether at home or away.
“I do that every game, home or away,” Watt said via the Houston Chronicle. “I go out to midfield, spit a little bit, wipe my feet off, and I go through my stretch. No drama there. That’s 100 percent what I do every game, home or away.”
But in a league when simple tweets get labeled “bulletin board” material you cannot rule out that it was added motivation for the Patriots, but it unlikely was. The Patriots have been here before and don’t need any extra motivation.
Watt had what can only be described as a subpar game for him in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. He had only 4 tackles, 1 solo, and a half of a sack. This is a player who had one of the hottest defensive starts in NFL history that had him finish with 20.5 sacks in the regular season.
Watt, along with Adrian Peterson who rushed for over 2,000 yards, were the only unanimous selections as “All-Pro” players. This has many projecting him to be a favorite to win NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year honors.