By Mark Pszonak
Every college program wants their alumni to become stars in the NFL. It’s an easy way to sell its potential to recruits, both from high school and the transfer portal. However, when an alumni publicly slams his alma mater on social media after an embarrassing loss, it also creates negative attention.
J.J. Watt is a legend, both at Wisconsin and the NFL. With the Badgers he was an All-American, with the Houston Texans he was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He is now a public figure who isn’t bashful with making his feelings known on social media. And that is what he did last night after Wisconsin’s 44-25 loss at Nebraska, which made the Cornhuskers bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016:
Losing happens, it’s part of the game.
Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out… that’s the issue.
We are Wisconsin.
Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense.
That is our identity.— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 24, 2024
Watt is saying what I’ve been saying for months (can read here). Wisconsin has lost its identity which has led to their fourth loss in a row. This puts them at 5-6 and on the verge of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001.
Watts has every reason to be frustrated, as should all Wisconsin fans. Not only are the Badgers having their worst season in 20+ years, but there is also no clear hope for 2025 and beyond. Fans can embrace potential and hope, but only the willfully ignorant can look at the current status of the program and roster and find either of those right now.
The voices in Madison will only grow louder and more angry in the coming months if head coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers continue on this lost path. But maybe hearing it from someone like Watt will be what helps get the program back on track.
