JJ Watt responds to Austin Rivers’ bold comment about NFL players
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Former Houston Texans player J.J. Watt speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
JJ Watt on Tuesday responded via X to Austin Rivers’ bold comments about NFL players.
Rivers received widespread attention online for his comment about NBA players vs. NFL players. The son of Doc Rivers joined “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday and talked with McAfee about potential football/basketball crossover players.
“I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA,” Rivers said on the show.
“I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.” —@AustinRivers25
What NBA players could you see playing in the NFL? 👀 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/nY8SJRfwX8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 7, 2024
The comments drew plenty of attention and were noticed by Watt, who responded via X.
The former Houston Texans defensive star dunked on Rivers in a big way.
“You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it,” he said in response to Rivers.
You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it… https://t.co/9C5Y4oZyXZ
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 7, 2024
Ouch.
For Rivers, will it be a challenge accepted? We doubt it. Just because he believes 30 NBA players could make the switch over to professional football doesn’t mean he believes he’s talented enough to do so.
The 31-year-old Rivers had an 11-year NBA career and has settled into a post-playing career of making hot takes. Why mess with that and embarrass himself just to respond to Watt?