J.J. Watt took to social media to voice his frustration after a recent MLS game announcement failed to acknowledge his wife, Kealia Ohai Watt, despite her prominent place in the sport.
Ohai, a former U.S. Women's National Team forward and standout at the University of North Carolina, built a career marked by state titles, national championships and a second‑overall pick in the NWSL College Draft, later joining the Houston Dash before moving to the Chicago Red Stars.
A Social Media Slip
The oversight occurred during a match featuring Real Salt Lake against Burnley F.C., a club the Watt‑Ohai partnership acquired a stake in back in 2023. Fans noted the omission as a missed opportunity to celebrate a pioneer who helped shape the modern game.
Watt, who also shares a familial tie to former Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing through marriage, emphasized that the oversight felt personal, given the couple's deep roots in soccer and their ongoing investment in the sport's global landscape.
The couple's involvement with Burnley F.C. reflects a growing trend of American athletes diversifying their portfolios beyond the field, aligning with international clubs while maintaining strong ties to their roots in California and Utah.
Their story also underscores the importance of institutions such as the National Women's Soccer League and the U.S. Soccer Federation, which continue to champion female athletes and provide platforms that deserve recognition on every stage.