Retired defensive end J.J. Watt. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Retired defensive end J.J. Watt reacts to NFL's drug-testing request

By Colum Dell | Last updated 2/22/23

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt retired from the NFL in December, but the league is still attempting to drug-test him.

On Tuesday, Watt revealed that he had received a summons for a random "HGH dry blood spot test" and shared a screenshot of the request on Twitter.

"This is Dillon on behalf of the NFL," the text read. "You have been selected for a hgh dry blood spot test, please give me a call or shoot me a text when you can."

Watt, likely half-joking, wrote in his tweet, "I don't know what happens when you click 'Report Junk' but I think I'm about to find out."

I don’t know what happens when you click “Report Junk” but I think I’m about to find out… pic.twitter.com/7tFyHUi3ht
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 21, 2023

Although the former defensive end joked earlier this month that he wouldn't file retirement paperwork after learning QB Tom Brady did, the drug test has no connection to the remark.

The same NFL employee had previously asked Watt to take a drug test following his three-sack outing in Arizona's 24-15 loss to Denver in Week 15. He made light of the situation then as well.

I think I’ve been “randomly selected” after every 3 sack game of my career ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/8r7Nc8XRMF
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 19, 2022

Watt's latest request comes just two days after the league selected Seahawks WR DK Metcalf for his "random" drug test.

There was a lot of discussion on Twitter last week after an obviously edited video of Metcalf showing off a ridiculous vertical jump went viral. That night, Metcalf competed in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, taking home MVP honors with a 20-point, 10-rebound and four-block performance.

NFL will be drug testing DK Metcalf pretty soon pic.twitter.com/3AkeCdTWfB
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) February 17, 2023

NOW PLAYING

The DK Metcalf 2023 #RufflesCelebGame MVP Mixtape pic.twitter.com/PkHD60KvhJ
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 18, 2023

Metcalf's video and All-Star stat line seemed to have reached the NFL, as he was contacted and informed that he'll have to take a PES test. The wideout shared the text message he received via Instagram.

While the timing of Metcalf's selection is amusing, Watt's request is puzzling, especially since Watt never failed a drug test during his career.

In 12 seasons with Houston and Arizona, Watt recorded 114.5 career sacks, 24th all-time, and earned five first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. He's eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028, along with Brady, in what should be the most anticipated ceremony in the Hall's history.

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