When Arizona Cardinals defensive end and NFL legend J.J. Watt announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2022-23 season, the football world went wild. From the look of it, so did former Penn State football star Jesse Luketa.

Luketa, a rookie with the Cardinals, had just gotten out of wisdom teeth surgery when he heard the news of Watt’s retirement. Still feeling the effects of the ~medication~, Luketa jumped into action to try to secure himself a piece of Watt memorabilia.

While on the car ride home from his sugery, the rookie tried to FaceTime Watt, but since Luketa’s name wasn’t saved in his phone, Watt didn’t take the call.

Luketa then followed up his call with a text message, which included a selfie of the rookie with cotton balls in his mouth after his procedure. The picture was accompanied by a voice memo that asked Watt for a signed jersey, though, Luketa’s voice was barely recognizable after taking the painkillers needed for the operation and the cotton in his mouth.

“J.J., at the end of the season, I need a signed jersey, J.J.,” Luketa mumbled in the message.

Luckily for Luketa, he got his wish. The rookie earned a signed jersey with a message from Watt that read, “Your story inspires me brother, I appreciate you!”

While it took some doing, Luketa got his jersey. And if Watt’s name is called in Canton, Ohio, one day, Luketa will have his own collectible to remember his former teammate by.