With the 2025 NFL season reaching its midpoint, spooky season is officially in full swing. Players across the league showed off their best Halloween looks, but it was former defensive end J.J. Watt’s young son, Koa, who stole the spotlight. Not only did his costume stand out, but the amusing story behind it made Watt’s Halloween even more memorable.
J.J. Watt Shares Adorable Halloween Moment With Son Koa
An MVP runner-up and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Watt was one of the most game-wrecking talents that the league ever saw. His status as arguably the greatest player in the Texans’ franchise history is firmly secure, as he remains the NFL record holder as the only player with multiple seasons registering 20 or more sacks.
Since retiring, Watt has enjoyed family life and welcomed two children with his wife, Kealia, a former soccer player. He also transitioned into broadcasting with CBS this season, but even a busy media schedule didn’t stop him from showing up big for Halloween.
Watt took to Instagram to share this year’s costumes alongside Kealia and their son, Koa. Kealia rocked a spot-on Minion costume, complete with overalls, a yellow top, and goggles. Watt leaned into the theme with a comically oversized “Gru” mask from the Despicable Me franchise, pairing it with the character’s signature scarf and black coat.
The real showstopper, however, was Koa. The toddler showed up as a tiny ghost, sporting a white sheet with hand-drawn eyes and a small cartoon ghost on the front. According to Watt’s caption, Koa had planned to be a Minion “all month… until today,” suggesting a last-minute costume crisis most parents can relate to.
Watt joked that his son “has no idea where to look because he cannot see,” pointing out how the sheet covered his eyes.
Watt and Kealia welcomed Koa in October 2022, two years after tying the knot at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas. The couple, who began dating in 2016, announced the birth of their second son, Niko Benjamin Watt, in June of this year.
Watt on Raising Son Koa James
Speaking in an interview with People last year, Watt admitted to finding his house in a constant mess following the arrival of his son. However, the five-time Pro Bowler didn’t complain and said he found raising his son to be the most fascinating thing in the world.
“I did not realize how exponentially messy our house would get. It is like a constant cycle of make a mess, clean up, make a mess, clean up. But it’s the most fascinating thing in the world — if it’s my mess or if like one of my friends or my brothers makes a mess, I’m furious. But if Koa makes a mess, I’ll clean it up all day long,” he said.
Watt was a natural athlete and a four-year letterman in four sports during high school: baseball, basketball, track and field, and, of course, football. His son is following suit with interests in basketball and hockey.
“He’s really loving sports. He’s got his own little basketball hoop, and he loves to put the ball in the hoop. He’s got some mini hockey sticks, and he’s finally learning how to use two hands on the hockey stick, which is great,” Watt added.