J.J. Watt: ‘I’m not one of those guys ... mad at the world because I am getting my head hit’

J.J. Watt is a tough guy who has played through some pretty bad injuries.

And he sounds like he looks down on some players who don’t do that. Even, apparently, players with head injuries.

“I’m not one of those guys who’s out here, mad at the world because I am getting my head hit,” the Houston Texans star defensive end told Sports Illustrated in an interview that ran online Monday.

“Yeah, I play football, I’m going to get my head hit. That’s the way it goes.”

Watt’s comment came right after he stated that everyone in the NFL can make their own decisions when it comes to the dangers of the game and that he has respect for those who leave the sport because of the risks involved.

“I respect every guy that has walked away,” said Watt, who hasn’t missed a game during his five-year career. “I think every single guy in this league makes his own decision, and that’s perfectly fine. The reason I respect that and the reason I think every guy has his own way of dealing with things, is because in my personal opinion I know what I’m getting into. I know that I’m going out there and I know that I am going to get hit in the head, I know that’s part of football. ...

“I choose to continue doing it. That’s my choice. If I wanted to walk away, I could.”

Last season, Watt won his third defensive player of the year award even after playing through such brutal injuries as a torn groin and a broken hand. He had surgery to repair the groin earlier this off-season and has resumed his grueling training schedule.

“I’m not at that point” of leaving the game, he said. “I can’t say that I will never get to that point, but I know the risk going into it and I’m a grown man and I can make my own decisions. So I’m going to continue to play until I feel like that risk is too great. And maybe there is a difference because I am a single 27-year-old, as opposed to having a family and kids to think about. But I think it’s one of those situations where you understand the risk and then you use that information to make your own decision....

“I know the information and I continue to play. As long as you have the proper information and you use that, then you can make whatever decision you want.”