What Happened to Kealia Mae Ohai Watt?
Kealia Watt is a former American professional soccer player who achieved significant success in the NWSL with the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars, and internationally with the U.S. Women's National Team. After retiring from professional soccer in 2023, she has transitioned into motherhood, become a minority investor in Burnley FC alongside her husband J.J. Watt, and works as a sideline analyst for Amazon Prime's NWSL coverage.
Quick Answer
Kealia Watt, formerly Kealia Ohai, is a retired American professional soccer player who played for the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL, and represented the U.S. at various levels, including the U-20 Women's World Cup. She officially retired from professional soccer in 2023. Since then, she has embraced motherhood, welcoming two sons with her husband, former NFL star J.J. Watt, in October 2022 and June 2025. The couple also became minority investors in English football club Burnley FC in May 2023, and Kealia began a new career as a sideline analyst for Amazon Prime's NWSL broadcasts in April 2024.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born Kealia Mae Ohai
Kealia Mae Ohai was born in Draper, Utah.
NCAA Champion and U-20 Women's World Cup Winner
Won the NCAA Championship with the North Carolina Tar Heels and scored the winning goal in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final.
Drafted by Houston Dash
Selected as the second overall pick in the NWSL College Draft by the expansion team Houston Dash.
NWSL Golden Boot Contender and USWNT Debut
Tied for the NWSL Golden Boot and made her senior international debut for the United States Women's National Team.
Suffers ACL Injury
Tore her ACL during a game against the Orlando Pride, sidelining her for the remainder of the 2017 season.
Engaged to J.J. Watt
Became engaged to NFL player J.J. Watt.
Traded to Chicago Red Stars
Traded from the Houston Dash to the Chicago Red Stars.
Marries J.J. Watt
Married J.J. Watt in the Bahamas and began using her married name.
NWSL Championship Runner-up
Reached the NWSL Championship final with the Chicago Red Stars.
Welcomes First Son, Koa James Watt
Gave birth to her and J.J. Watt's first son, Koa James Watt.
Becomes Burnley FC Investor
Announced as a minority investor in English football club Burnley FC alongside J.J. Watt.
Official Retirement from Professional Soccer
Her husband, J.J. Watt, confirmed her retirement from professional soccer in an interview with People magazine.
Debuts as Amazon Prime NWSL Analyst
Began her broadcast career as a sideline analyst for Amazon Prime Video's NWSL coverage.
Welcomes Second Son, Niko Benjamin Watt
Gave birth to her and J.J. Watt's second son, Niko Benjamin Watt.
J.J. Watt Defends Kealia's Soccer Legacy
J.J. Watt publicly called out Real Salt Lake for failing to acknowledge Kealia's extensive soccer accomplishments during a family visit to the stadium.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kealia Mae Ohai Watt, born January 31, 1992, established herself as a formidable talent in American soccer from a young age. Her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina saw her win an NCAA championship in 2012, where she was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player. She also made a significant impact on the international youth stage, scoring the winning goal in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final.
Professionally, Watt was the second overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft, becoming the Houston Dash's inaugural college draft selection. She spent six seasons with the Dash, becoming a club captain and a prolific scorer, tying for the league lead in goals in 2016. In 2020, she was traded to the Chicago Red Stars, where she played for two seasons, reaching the NWSL Challenge Cup final in 2020 and the NWSL Championship final in 2021.
Her personal life saw a significant turning point when she married NFL star J.J. Watt on February 15, 2020, and subsequently began using her married name. Her retirement from professional soccer was officially confirmed by her husband in September 2023, ending speculation about her return to the pitch. This decision coincided with a focus on family, as the couple welcomed their first son, Koa James Watt, in October 2022, followed by their second son, Niko Benjamin Watt, in June 2025.
Beyond family, Kealia Watt has remained connected to the sports world through new ventures. In May 2023, she and J.J. Watt became minority investors in English football club Burnley FC, which had just earned promotion to the Premier League. In April 2024, she embarked on a broadcasting career, joining Amazon Prime Video as a sideline analyst for their NWSL coverage, making her debut on the 10th anniversary of the Houston Dash's first NWSL match. Most recently, in July 2026, J.J. Watt publicly defended Kealia's extensive soccer accomplishments after a social media post from Real Salt Lake overlooked her achievements during a family visit to the stadium, highlighting her continued legacy in the sport.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kealia Mae Ohai Watt made different choices?