Former Wisconsin football legend included in ESPN's top 100 professional athletes since 2000

Former Wisconsin Badgers football legend J.J. Watt was ranked No. 58 in ESPN’s latest list of the top 100 professional athletes since 2000.

The Pewaukee, Wisconsin native narrowly landed above former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (No. 59), three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker (No. 60) and 2018 NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis (No. 61).

Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson (No. 57), eight-time Liga F champion Alexia Putellas (No. 56) and Croatian soccer legend Luka Modrić (No. 55) were placed in Watt’s area as well.

After recently earning a spot on the NFL’s Mount Rushmore for the Houston Texans, Watt now joins an even more prestigious in ESPN’s recent ranking.

During his NFL career with the Texans and Arizona Cardinals, Watt pocketed five Pro Bowl appearances, five-time first-team All-Pro honors and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also named a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and became the only player in NFL history with 20-plus sacks in more than one season (2012, 2014).

In three seasons at Wisconsin, Watt was named a Lott IMPACT Trophy winner, team MVP and consensus first-team All-Big Ten team member at defensive end. During his final campaign in Madison, Watt also led the Badgers in TFLs, sacks, quarterback hurries, forced fumbles and blocked kicks.

The future pro departed the collegiate scene third all-time in UW history with four career blocked kicks and tied for No. 6 in school history with 21.0 tackles for loss in a single season.