Watt on late Jimmy Buffett: 'More than a man, an entire lifestyle'

Retired Houston Texans and National Football League (NFL) defensive end J.J. Watt recently joined the cadre of stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment who paid their respects to the late singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who passed away on Sept. 1 at the age of 76.

“Rest in peace to an absolute legend,” Watt said in a Sept. 2 social media post on X, formlerly Twitter. “More than a man, an entire lifestyle.”

According to The Associated Press (AP), Buffett was best known for his 1977 laid-back party anthem, “Margaritaville,” which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song title was also the namesake of his Florida-headquartered hospitality company, famous for its eateries, hotels, and tropical-themed merchandise. Citing a statement posted on the musician’s website, AP reported that Buffett passed away in the presence of “his family, friends, music, and dogs.” “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” the statement read.

While Watt doesn’t possess the same prowess behind the microphone as he did on the field, Buffett famously invited him to be a guest performer on “Margaritaville” during a 2016 concert in The Woodlands, KHOU News reported. According to KHOU, Watt was an unabashed Parrothead, the moniker for Buffett’s most loyal fans, and helped himself to a margarita in tribute to his departed friend and idol.

AP News reported that Buffett told The Arizona Republic years ago that there was no such place as “Margaritaville” but the song was a rundown of his experiences in Key West, FL. Though Buffett wasn’t a darling among the critics, his songs about beach life enjoyed immense popularity among the Parrotheads, according to the AP. Born on Christmas Day 1946, he’s survived by spouse Jane, two daughters, and a son.