NFL great JJ Watt has given a nod to his sport’s Monday Night Football while cheering on his beloved Burnley before the Clarets face Leeds United.
Former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end Watt invested in the English club alongside wife Kealia Watt in May 2023.
Sharing the US start times game on social media less than three hours before kick-off, Watt called the contest a “massive match”, adding: “Up the Clarets”.
The 35-year-old has a combined following of more than 10 million on X and Instagram, dwarfing Burnley’s count of more than 1.5 million on the platforms.
Monday Night Football.
Massive match on Turf Moor. @BurnleyOfficial v. @LUFC
Up The Clarets!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 27, 2025
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Why did JJ Watt invest in Burnley?
Watt became involved with Burnley shortly after their most recent promotion to the Premier League. “When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition,” he said at the time.
“We understand that not only are we investing in the squad and manager, we’re investing in the town and its people. We take that responsibility very seriously and intend to work hard in earning their trust and support.
“We believe that Burnley is a special club with incredible supporters and we want to help continue to elevate its global profile on its return to the Premier League.”
94th Minute Winner…
Never in Doubt!
COME ON BURNLEY!!!!!!!@BurnleyOfficial @MenInBlazers
PS – You’re required to attend every match now @rogbennett. Those are the rules. pic.twitter.com/OlIhUbalPB
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 21, 2024
Watt and his wife have visited Burnley, including trips by the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the training ground to share mutual admiration with former manager Vincent Kompany.
Kealia Watt was a midfielder or forward for the US Women’s National Team who scored after 48 seconds of her international debut in 2016, having won the Concacaf Championship and World Cup at under-20 level in 2012.
Burnley vs Leeds
Kompany left Burnley following their relegation at the end of last season and is now boss of German giants Bayern Munich.
Former England midfielder Scott Parker replaced him and has guided his side to third in the English Championship, losing a division-low two matches of their first 28 in the league.
Their showdown with Leeds could be a crucial one because the visitors are top of the table and three points above Burnley.
Don’t tell me Burnley isn’t beautiful… https://t.co/XayUxMuftM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 17, 2024
That means victory will send Burnley level on points with Leeds at the top, although their inferior goal difference means they are highly unlikely to overtake them on Monday.
The tussle for promotion to the Premier League is a typically tight one in this season’s Championship, with only four points separating Leeds, Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland in the top four.
Each of the quartet will have 19 league games remaining after the match at Burnley’s Turf Moor home, where they are yet to lose this season but have drawn seven of their 13 games.
