LAS VEGAS — A man who Houston knows and loves seems to be enjoying his Super Bowl experience...and it comes in a new role.
"If I knew all I had to do is retire how to get to the Super Bowl, I would have done it a whole lot sooner," joked former Texans star and current CBS Sports NFL studio analyst JJ Watt.
Watt said he's fortunate to be involved in this Super Bowl production for CBS Sports in just his first season away from playing.
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"Everybody has been great," he said. "They deserve all the credit. They deserve everything that CBS has built and I'm very fortunate and lucky to be a part of it."
We've been following Watt's journey as a broadcaster. We were by his side in New York for his first rehearsal with his new team from the NFL Today, including Boomer Esiason.
"In all honesty, he's a natural," Esiason said during our visit before the season.
Watt's Super Bowl week includes meeting with the media and even pitching product.
"I think the city has done an incredible job hosting so far," he said.
His main priority, however, is analyzing this matchup. Since he last played for Arizona in the same division as the 49ers, I asked him if that makes his preparation any easier.
"Yes, it definitely gives you some perspective," said Watt. "I feel that will be knowledgeable and helpful for the viewers. I have firsthand experience, how difficult it is to stop both of these offenses."
During Sunday's Super Bowl pregame show, Watt will be profiling 49ers running back. Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey's dad, of course, played in the NFL. And with Watt having two brothers as pros, I'm sure these two will have a lot to talk about.