Watt Defends Kealia's Legacy
J.J. Watt Defends Wife Kealia Ohai Watt After Real Salt Lake Omission in Social Post
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Key Points
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Kealia Ohai Watt scored the fastest goal in a USWNT debut, netting 48 seconds after entering as a substitute in a friendly against Switzerland.
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Ohai grew up in Draper/Sandy, Utah, and attended Alta High School, where she won four Utah state championships—one of which was in the same stadium where the recent Burnley-Real Salt Lake event was held.
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She was the Houston Dash’s second overall pick in the NWSL College Draft and later served as captain from 2016 until her 2020 trade to the Chicago Red Stars.
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The Watts became minority investors in Burnley F.C. in 2023, a detail that situates their ownership involvement with the club tied to the preseason event.
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Kealia was a four-year starter for the UNC Tar Heels (2010-2013), was part of the 2012 NCAA championship team, and also helped the U.S. win the 2012 U-20 Women's World Cup.
J.J. Watt publicly called out Real Salt Lake after the MLS club posted a photo welcoming him and his family to a preseason friendly — but left his wife completely out of the caption. The post read
Watt Lists His Wife's Elite Soccer Résumé
Watt didn't hold back in his response. He listed Kealia's accomplishments point by point. She won four Utah state championships. She scored the fastest debut goal in USWNT history — just 48 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Switzerland. According to Fox News, Watt called the omission disrespectful and said her career was
Kealia grew up in Draper and Sandy, Utah, and attended Alta High School. One of her four state titles came in the very stadium where the Burnley-Real Salt Lake match was played. She then starred at the University of North Carolina for four years, from 2010 to 2013, and was part of the 2012 NCAA championship team. She also helped the U.S. win the 2012 U-20 Women's World Cup, per Whiskey Riff.
From NWSL Captain to Burnley Co-Owner
Kealia Watt's pro career was just as impressive. The Houston Dash picked her second overall in the NWSL College Draft. She served as the team's captain from 2016 until a 2020 trade to the Chicago Red Stars. The NWSL is the top women's professional soccer league in the United States.
The Watts became minority owners of Burnley F.C. in 2023. That ownership stake is what brought the couple — and their son Koa — to Utah for the preseason event. In other words, Kealia wasn't just a guest. She was there as a co-investor, according to USA Today.
Real Salt Lake Apologizes After Public Backlash
After Watt's post went viral, Real Salt Lake issued a public apology. The club acknowledged that Kealia deserved recognition and said the omission was a mistake. USA Today reported that the team reached out directly to both J.J. and Kealia Watt to apologize.
The incident quickly became part of a larger conversation. Critics pointed to it as an example of how women athletes are often overlooked — even when they are the more relevant figure in a given setting. Kealia literally grew up playing soccer in Utah. J.J. Watt played football in Wisconsin and Texas, per Daily Mail.
A Local Legend Overlooked on Her Home Turf
Perhaps the sharpest part of Watt's criticism was the local angle. Kealia Ohai Watt is a Utah soccer icon. She won four state titles in the state. She played in that very stadium. Yet the local MLS team introduced her simply as
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