Former Wisconsin football star J.J. Watt sparks debate of helping a rival

Fascinated to hear some opinions on this…

Do you help out your alma mater’s rivals?

Is the connection to the coach or the school stronger? pic.twitter.com/h36nixDF9e

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 29, 2023

As long as it’s not the week that the rival team is playing your alma mater, I think you’re golden!

— Justin Reid (@JustinqReid) March 29, 2023

I say yes. In the end it’s not about schools but about the kids and their development.

— Dan Go (@FitFounder) March 29, 2023

Give ‘em the advice … they look up to you and you’ve been where they want to be !! Your knowledge and experience are invaluable!! Forget the conference interference! You da man !

— Dan Plesac (@Plesac19) March 29, 2023

✅ Football “family” is one of the world’s few instances where we can battle and bleed on the field (some fans in the stands 😂)…yet, manage to put preferences aside to advocate for our sporting community. Besides, GOATS get a pass. On Wisconsin! @NickEvers12

— Monica Evers (@MonicaEvers1) March 29, 2023

You're the next level up. The wise sage who has been there and done that. Help the next generation regardless. Doesn't mean you have to cheer for them on game day! :)

— Ed Sullivan (@Ed_Sullivan) March 30, 2023

Blessed to have the talent, mindset and opportunity to speak and help the next generation…absolutely take it. Never met you, but could imagine what it would mean to even that one athlete you have an effect on. Keep representing the Midwest!

— Mark Knudsen (@KnudyNudes) March 30, 2023

Remain neutral - bigger picture - student athletes want your advice and to glean your wisdom. Same conference doesn’t matter.

— Mark Martiak🇺🇦 (@mark_martiak) March 30, 2023

You’ve got so much knowledge to share outside of football. Real life etc. Follow your heart, but giving advice about the game and inspiring some young dudes definitely won’t cause a W or an L between teams. Hope you come back to the B1G to coach/speak at any school. ✌️

— Mark Whitsitt 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@markwhitsitt2) March 29, 2023

If you can help the student athletes anywhere, do it. They are more than school or coach, they need you more than school or coach. (In my case, however, my alma mater would love for me to work with their rivals, nobody gonna ask.) Do it for the student athletes, my man.

— Jeff Briggs (@regulater9) March 30, 2023

The fact they are rivals matters less to me than then honoring the relationships you have with coaches. And just be sure to bring some of that wisdom to our Badgers too. #dbwh #onwisconsin

— Doug Barton (@bartond) March 30, 2023

100% do it. So much of your journey has been marked by helping others get better. As you mentioned, you're helping them get better as people (and possibly on field)...and for 60 years not just one game or season.

— Nathan Whitaker (@NathanWhitaker) March 30, 2023

As an @UWMadison alumnus I would encourage you to speak to the other teams. This is both a way for you to mentor others and to show what kind of talented, classy players we have on @UWBadgers teams.

— KNat 🧩👩🏻‍🦰👩‍🍳👩‍🏫🏎️🏈🏀 (@NatoliKaren) March 30, 2023

As long as it’s not Minnesota, Illinois or Iowa, go for it.

— Wisconsin Nation (@Wisco___Nation) March 29, 2023

I think you are far enough removed from your college days to speak wherever you can, but always bring it back to be proud of who they are and where they came from. As an alum, you reflect your university and it’s okay to do that on a rival’s campus.

— Ashley 🌵 (@cursivea) March 30, 2023

#OnWisconsin 🦡

— Tim Krumrie (@timkrumrie) March 29, 2023

I think being as successful as you have been on and off the field if possible you could help some of these young guys out to not only be better players but better people. Just add that you hope they lose to the badgers at the end lol. But you could have the chance to help them

— adam ivy (@adamivy1) March 30, 2023

You’ve always seemed to focus on the pureness of impacting people - regardless of their social, economic, where they’re from, etc. Keep doing that! Your legacy in this life is > than ur football career. Outside of your family, it’ll be the 1K’s of ppl whose life you’ve impacted

— Billy Fitzgerald (@bfitzgeraldco) March 29, 2023

I think it would be a boost to your alma mater that their rivals are asking specifically for you. What better way to do them proud?! On top of that, you are doing what you love to do which is be a great role model and mentor. It’s a win-win, JJ!

— Okatalina (@katerinapmj) March 29, 2023

The professional advice is more important than any conference rivalry. I'd show up to give the talk and infuse it with humor – some good natured heckling. Those connections are bigger than allegiance to an alma mater but you can definitely have some fun with it.

— Michelle Cronk, MA, APR (@MCronk_KC) March 29, 2023

Im a badger fan through and through, and if you are willing to do it... 100 percent do it. Its for the kids. Ik if JJ Watt walked into my locker room it would mean the world to me

— Joshua Smentek (@JoshuaSmentek) March 29, 2023

In my opinion, sir, although a tough decision, and understandably so, it's not that tough for me. It's all about the growth, development, and ability to help other humans move forward that outweighs any sense of loyalty.

— Mychal Doering (@Coach_Doering) March 30, 2023