JJ Watt launches passionate defense of wife Kealia after MLS club’s ‘disrespectful’ post
JJ Watt took to social media to defend wife Kealia after being ‘disrespected’ in a social media post from Real Salt Lake.
The Major League Soccer side hosted EFL Championship side Burnley in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night.
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JJ and Kealia are minority owners of the English team, and they attended the game in Utah.
Before the game, RSL shared a photo of the NFL legend walking out of the tunnel at America First Field, holding hands with Kealia and their son.
The post read: “Welcome to Riot, JJ Watt and family.”
Watt objected to the message, and asked why Kealia should not be mentioned, or tagged.
JJ Watt hits back at RSL’s social media posts
“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…” he wrote.
“It might have been talked about, but idk.”
As JJ points out, Kealia has a resume.
Born in Draper, Utah, 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, he played youth football with the Utah Avalanche.
With the team, where he played from U-11 to college, Kealia won four state titles.
He also won the Utah state championship during all four years of high school, and played for the United States youth programs since he was 13 years old.
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At the U-20 level, the forward won the Women’s World Cup and scored the winning goal in the 44th minute of the final.
Kealia was also a four-year starter with the North Carolina Tar Heels, and established himself as one of the most outstanding college players during his time in Chapel Hill.
He was a member of the 2012 championship team before being selected as the second overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash.
Kealia was a freshman first-team player in college, and quickly became a key player, taking the captain’s armband in mid-2016.
In six seasons with the team, he played 114 games and scored 28 goals, before being traded to the Chicago Red Stars in 2020.
Kealia finished her career in the Windy City, and has gone on to become a commentator for Amazon Prime Video’s NWSL broadcasts.
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After Watt called RSL out on their job on Thursday, his responses were inundated with fans asking why Kealia was ‘disrespected’.
Fans are rallying behind JJ Watt after a tweet from the MLS club
“Kealia’s justice!” one has been sent.
“Bravo sir. Hell of a career and achievements for Kealia,” another replied.
“Classic Utah is disrespectful,” said a third.
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“Wow JJ You knew you were beautiful, you didn’t know you were that beautiful. You are so impressive!” the fourth wrote.
“MLS can’t do anything right,” concluded the fifth.
While JJ and Kealia had a chance to walk down the aisle at America First Field, it’s probably fair to say that Burnley investors weren’t too happy about what happened next.
The American club’s pre-season tour ended 4-1 against MLS opposition.
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Salt Lake striker Sergi Solans opened the scoring for the home side, before Florentino scored his first Burnley goal 10 minutes into the second half.
The MLS side took an early lead through Zavier Gozo, before Solans scored his second of the evening.
USMNT international Diego Luna wrapped up the game from the penalty spot.
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