JJ Watt and Kealia Watt Are Soon-To-Be a Family of Four

JJ Watt and Kealia Watt are getting ready to add another little athlete to their family!

The former NFL star turned analyst and the ex-Chicago Red Stars player announced the exciting news on Instagram on February 3. “Can’t wait to welcome new love into our lives,” the two captioned a photo of their 2-year-old son Koa kissing mom’s baby bump as JJ looks on.

The pro-athlete pair first became parents in October 2022. “Love and happiness have reached heights we never even knew existed. Koa James Watt. 10.23.22,” the couple captioned the photo of Mom, Dad and baby boy Watt in the delivery room,

With a legendary defensive end for a father and a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champion for a mother, baby Watt’s name—Koa, meaning “warrior,”—fits right in with his family’s athletic legacy. Plus, Koa James can be shortened to KJ Watt, in line with his father JJ’s nickname.

Friends and fans alike were quick to congratulate JJ and Kealia on their growing family. Sports business analyst Darren Rovell jokingly commented, “With the first pick of the 2043 Draft, K.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin,” while JJ’s brother, TJ Watt, added, “Welcome to the family, Koa!”

The couple first met through Kaelia’s brother-in-law, Brian Cushing, who just happens to be JJ’s former teammate. Their relationship was later confirmed in an October 2016 podcast, where Kaelia said: “The rumors are true. We are dating. I’ve known JJ for a really long time, and we’ve always been great friends.” The two got engaged in May 2019 before tying the knot at a destination wedding in the Bahamas in February 2020.