J.J. Watt surprises fourth-grade teacher with cake and presents for her retirement

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was probably one of the last people Judy Keefe expected to walk into her classroom earlier this week.

But the four-time Pro Bowler hadn't forgotten that Keefe was the one who inspired him to pursue his dreams of playing for the Wisconsin Badgers and in the NFL when she was his fourth-grade teacher.

Watt decided to celebrate Keefe's retirement after 41 years by surprising her in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, with a cake, a pair of shoes and an invitation to his charity softball game next month. The cake featured math and reading books alongside a pencil holder and a chalkboard that read "School's Out Forever."

After exchanging hugs and pleasantries, Keefe introduced Watt to her students and explained that he relayed his grand plans of playing college and professional football to her two decades ago.

"Look where he is now," Keefe said before her eyes welled with tears. "You can do whatever you want to do."

The teacher and her former student cut the cake together and served it to Keefe's students, who could barely contain their excitement. Watt, who played in just three games last season because of a back injury, broadcast the visit on Facebook Live.

The Waukesha, Wisconsin, native is expected to participate in Houston's OTAs and should be ready for the start of the 2017 campaign.

-- Nick Ostiller