J.J. Watt on being on Hard Knocks: I prefer to focus on football
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was asked Thursday on The Dan Patrick Show what he thought of his team being chosen for HBO's Hard Knocks.
The Texans announced Wednesday that they will appear on the 10th season of the HBO show. Houston was one of nine teams eligible to be selected this year for Hard Knocks, which provides an inside look at a franchise during August training camp.
"I don’t think there’s many players that would vote for it," Watt said, according to USA Today. "I prefer to focus on the football."
In 2013, the NFL passed a rule that said the league could force a team to appear on Hard Knocks, as long as the team did not have a first-year head coach, did not make the playoffs over the last two seasons and did not appear on the show in the previous 10 years.
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The Texans went 9–7 last season in their first year under head coach Bill O'Brien, improving on a 2–14 2013 season. Watt was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year after making 20 1/2 sacks, five fumble recoveries and 78 tackles.
GALLERY: SI'S BEST PHOTOS OF J.J. WATT
SI's Best Photos of J.J. Watt
May 27, 2015
May 27, 2015
April 6, 2015
with Caroline Wozniacki
Nov. 4, 2014
Oct. 26, 2014
Oct. 5, 2014
Oct. 5, 2014
Oct. 5, 2014
Sept. 21, 2014
Sept. 21, 2014
Sept. 9, 2013
Sept. 9, 2013
Jan. 5, 2013 -- AFC Wild Card
Oct. 21, 2012
Oct. 14, 2012
Oct. 14, 2012
Oct. 14, 2012
Oct. 14, 2012
Jan. 7, 2012 -- AFC Wild Card
Nov. 27, 2011
Sept. 11, 2011
April 28, 2011
Feb. 28, 2011 -- NFL Scouting Combine
Jan. 1, 2011 -- Rose Bowl
Nov. 27, 2010
Nov. 27, 2010
- Molly Geary