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          J.J. Watt gifts Cardinals rookie a signed jersey

          • Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff WriterDec 30, 2022, 07:12 PM
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              Josh Weinfuss is a staff writer who covers the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL at ESPN. Josh has covered the Cardinals since 2012, joining ESPN in 2013. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and a graduate of Indiana University. You can follow him via Twitter @joshweinfuss.
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          TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jesse Luketa got what he wanted.

          The Arizona Cardinals rookie linebacker woke up from getting his wisdom teeth taken out on Tuesday, shortly after J.J. Watt announced his plan to retire after the season. So Luketa sent him voice memo while still feeling the effects of anesthesia.

          "J.J., J.J," started Luketa, while his mouth was full of cotton after the surgery. "At the end of the season I need a signed jersey, J.J. That's all I wanted to call and tell you. That's all. Bye, J.J."

          Watt thought it was hilarious.

          Read more: Watt's legacy is big on and off the field

          What made it funnier, though, is that Watt didn't have Luketa's number. Luketa, a seventh-round draft pick out of Penn State, then tried to FaceTime the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year but, not knowing who it was, Watt didn't pick up. Then Luketa sent the voice memo followed by a selfie.

          Four hours later, Luketa texted Watt to apologize -- but still asked for the jersey -- and all Watt could do was laugh. On Wednesday, Watt said Luketa would get the jersey.

          "I told him, 'You got the jersey. You made my day. You won the whole day,'" Watt said.

          Watt delivered on Friday.

          On the right 9 of Watt's black No. 99 jersey, he wrote, "Jesse, your story inspires me brother. I appreciate you! (And thanks for the laughs!)"