Texans Star J.J. Watt Calls Out ‘Trash’ Headline After His Fiancée Kealia Ohai is Traded to Chicago
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has a bone to pick with the media. After news broke that his fiancée, Kealia Ohai, was traded to the Chicago Red Stars, Watt blasted a news outlet for only referring to her as his fiancée in the headline. Not one to hold back, Watt called the headline “trash” and told the company they could “be better.”
J.J. Watt slams ‘trash’ headline
ABC Houston recently ran a story about Ohai’s trade from the Houston Dash to the Chicago Red Stars.
But instead of mentioning Ohai’s name in the header, the outlet omitted her entirely, writing “Houston Dash trade J.J. Watt’s fiancée to Chicago.”
Watt understandably took issue with the headline and blasted ABC Houston on social media for not giving Ohai credit for her own success.
“This headline is trash,” J.J. Watt shared. “Kealia Ohai (which is her name by the way, since you didn’t even bother to mention it) is incredible entirely on her own merit and deserves to be treated as such. Be better than this.”
Fans on Twitter overwhelmingly supported Watt’s take on the header. Within a few hours, the post had been retweeted over 30,000 times and garnered close to 300,000 likes. A few major brands even voiced their support for Ohai and Watt, including Reebok and the WNBA.
In light of the uproar, ABC Houston apologized to J.J. Watt and Kealia Ohai and changed the headline to include her name. Ohai has not said anything about the controversy, though she did like Watt’s original tweet.
Why did Ohai get traded?
According to Houston Chronicle, the Dash traded Ohai for Katie Naughton, who was a defender for the Red Stars. The club also received the 18th pick in this year’s National Women’s Soccer League Draft.
Although the trade left many soccer fans scratching their heads, Dash coach James Clarkson explained how picking up another draft selection was the driving force behind their decision.
“It was a little bit out of the blue,” Clarkson admitted. “When you evaluate and look at our stats from last year, we need to strengthen the squad and I think it’s difficult especially now that there was an expansion. We only had one draft pick as well.”
Clarkson believes that Naughton will help tremendously in their backline and give the team some added depth to their roster.
Even though Clarkson is confident things will work out, Ohai’s departure marks a sad day for Dash fans. Ohai was the first collegiate player to be drafted by the Dash and led the team in goals in 2016.
She suffered from a torn ACL in 2017, however, and has struggled to return to form. Although the trade was a surprise, Ohai is looking forward to bringing her talents to her new squad.
J.J. Watt took to social media again to make sure that fans knew he supported his future wife, letting her know he would hold things down at home while she was away.
Who is Ohai?
Ohai was born and raised in Draper, Utah. She was named after Kealia Beach in Hawaii, which is where her father calls home.
In high school, Ohai led her team to four state titles and went on to play soccer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills. As a member of the Tar Heels, Ohai won an NCAA championship and was selected in the first round of the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League draft.
She started dating Watt three years ago after being introduced to the Texans star through a mutual friend. Ohai’s sister, Meghan Ohai, is married to Brian Cushing, a former NFL linebacker who now works for the Texans. As J.J. Watt’s good friend, Cushing introduced him to Ohai and the rest is history.
Watt and Ohai have been very low-key about their romance over the years, though they recently announced some exciting news on Twitter.
Kealia Ohai and J.J. Watt announce their engagement
During a romantic getaway in Mexico, J.J. Watt popped the big question. The two later announced their engagement on Twitter with an adorable set of photos.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world. #SheSaidYes,” Watt wrote, to which Ohai added, “I love you.”
Watt and Ohai have not announced an official date for the ceremony. The wedding was believed to be scheduled for some time in 2020, though it is unclear if her trade to the Red Stars will change those plans.
While we wait to learn more, J.J. Watt is currently preparing for the NFL playoffs with the Texans. Once the season is over, Watt might reveal more about his upcoming wedding plans. But considering how the couple plays things close to the chest, it might be a while before we learn anything new.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to seeing Ohai take the field as the newest member of the Red Stars. Let’s just hope future headlines get her name right.
J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, January 12, and the winner goes on to the AFC Championship.
