J.J. Watt Delivers Brutal Shot To NFL Network Top 100 List

Nobody is going to debate the fact that J.J. Watt is still one of the best football players on the planet. He’s more than earned that.

The guy has multiple seasons of 20+ sacks and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. No other player in NFL history can claim either honor. Barring a catastrophic breakdown his destiny lay in the Hall of Fame. At the same time, there’s a reason people love him. In addition to being a ferocious competitor, he’s also known for being honest and righteous regarding certain things. A big one being praise where it’s not deserved.

Apparently that includes himself. The NFL Network has been steadily unveiling their Top 100 Players of 2016 as voted on by players around the league. It’s a list that has come under sharp criticism at times. Seems Watt himself took exception to one entry in particular:  his own.

While nobody will dispute the fact that Watt could be excused being on the list, to rank him that high does seem a bit excessive. His entire year consisted of three games before he had to bow out due to lingering back problems. That’s part of the game. People won’t think less of him for dealing with what is a serious health hazard. At the same time, facts are facts. Watt didn’t do nearly enough in 2016 to warrant any spot on the list.

That doesn’t mean he suddenly became a bad football player. It just means his productivity and availability didn’t match others who deserved the honor more. Being the selfless player he is, Watt called the network out on it. His placement robbed at least one other player from getting the spotlight he deserves. The act of a man very much comfortable with where he stands in the eyes of the people and himself.