J.J. Watt Calls Out Major College Football Program Over New Weight Room Rule
It's safe to say that when J.J. Watt speaks up, everyone should listen. The NFL legend always makes strong points, regardless of the topic. And especially when it comes to working out and lifting weights.
The 36-year-old and future first-ballot Hall of Famer recently weighed in on Texas Tech -- where Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes went to school -- changing the game when it comes to its players lifting weights in its weight room.
'No Shortcuts'?
The ordeal unfolded over the weekend when a video circulated on social media showing Red Raiders players in the weight room with no weights under 40 pounds.
Adam Breneman, a college football analyst at CBS Sports and a former tight end at Penn State and UMass, toured the facility and got a kick out of weights under 40 pounds being banned.
"That's so funny," he chuckles.
When he tweeted the video, Breneman doubled down on Texas Tech's under-40-pound-weights rule.
"Texas Tech took every weight under 40 lbs out of their weight room. Love this!! No shortcuts," he tweeted alongside the video.
Watt, however, was not amused.
How J.J. Watt Responded
Watt replied to the tweet, hoping that Texas Tech's ban was "just performative."
"Hopefully just performative for social media and not actually true," he tweeted. "Would be wildly absurd and irresponsible. Also, jumping straight to 40 pounds would literally be a shortcut. So 'no shortcuts' doesn’t really apply."
Breneman replied to Watt's tweet saying, "JJ you for sure can do 40lb lateral raises."
Hopefully just performative for social media and not actually true.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 14, 2026
Would be wildly absurd and irresponsible.
Also, jumping straight to 40 pounds would literally be a shortcut. So “no shortcuts” doesn’t really apply…
But the Breneman's video and tweet drew immediate backlash. Fitness influencer, Joey Swoll, weighed in as well.
"That’s absolutely ridiculous. I hope this is a joke. Regardless of how 'strong' someone is, we ALL have to warm up especially if NOT a compound movement where lower weight is NECESSARY!" he tweeted. "What about isolation exercises? All this is is the shortcut to getting someone hurt. DO BETTER."
Breneman went on damage control with a follow-up tweet.
"Some of these replies need to relax. Texas Tech has one of the best strength staffs in the country," he tweeted. "I'm sure if someone needs lighter weights they have them. The point is the mindset: no shortcuts. Coach McGuire and his staff know exactly what they're doing."