Trafford’s Stunning Form Threatens Watt’s Bold Gamble
JJ Watt’s playful bet about coming out of NFL retirement is looking shakier by the day, thanks to Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford’s incredible clean sheet streak—rooted, surprisingly, in his farming background.
What’s Happening?
The former NFL superstar jokingly vowed to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals if Trafford and Burnley managed to keep their opponents from scoring for the rest of the season. Fast forward two months, and the bet is still alive, with Trafford maintaining an impressive run of shutouts.
The Bigger Picture
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has been a brick wall for Burnley, securing 23 clean sheets and going over 1,000 minutes without conceding. His last slip-up? A goal against Watford back in December. Watt, who is a part-owner of the club, might now be feeling the pressure as Trafford keeps racking up shutouts.
Trafford’s Secret Weapon? Farming!
The England U21 international credits his upbringing on a farm in northwest Cumbria for his work ethic and resilience. “Farming gave me core values and principles. My grandpa wanted me to be a jockey, but at 6’4″, that wasn’t happening!” Trafford told The Mirror.
His hands-on experience—yes, even lambing sheep—shaped his mentality and determination. “It was disgusting, but I did it,” he joked.
What’s Next?
Burnley’s £19 million investment in Trafford is proving to be worth every penny, with the club pushing for promotion back to the Premier League. As for JJ Watt? He might want to start warming up—there are still 13 games left, but if Trafford keeps this up, that Bengals jersey could be calling his name.
