“You Can’t Come In”: Broncos Security Deny J.J. Watt Entry Into the Stadium as CBS Broadcaster Caught Offguard

JJ Watt spent twelve seasons terrorizing NFL offensive lines and blowing past blockers as one of the most dominant defensive forces in modern football history. But ahead of Sunday’s AFC West clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Mile High, the 3x Defensive Player of the Year found himself stonewalled by an opponent he couldn’t move: stadium security.

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Assigned as CBS’s lead game analyst alongside play-by-play veteran Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the Week 8 broadcast, Watt was up early for his regular game-day routine. Thanks to the daylight saving time change throwing off his internal clock, he didn’t head out at his usual 6 a.m. slot, finding himself taking an early morning walk near the stadium perimeter with no intention of heading into the facility.

Spotting the silhouette of Empower Field from afar, Watt decided to wander over to check out the venue. Because he hadn’t planned on going inside so early, he arrived without a physical credential hanging around his neck, prompting security to direct him through standard screening. Watt decided to run an automated facial scan – it lit up green to welcome him – but the security had other ideas. Later, in conversation with former NFL lineman Kyle Long on The NFL Today+, Watt walked viewers through that exact moment.

“So I start to walk in, and they go, ‘Sorry, sorry, you can’t come in,'” Watt shared. “And I said, ‘Why not?’ They said, ‘You don’t have a credential,’ and I said, ‘I just scan my face.’ They said, ‘I’m in,’ and they said, ‘I’m sorry. We can’t.’ So an employee walks over and goes, ‘I’ll escort him onto the field,’ and they’re like, ‘No, if he doesn’t have a credential, he can’t get in. So respect to the Broncos security staff. But I couldn’t get into the stadium this morning. So I still haven’t been on the field yet.”

Even when a stadium staffer offered to personally escort JJ Watt past the checkpoint, the gate guards held their ground. Since the league first introduced facial authentication across all 32 stadiums back in 2024 to verify registered staff and media, the system successfully recognized Watt and flashed green.

But gate guards still had to hold the line because a biometric scan only confirmed who you are, whereas strict venue protocols demand physical or digital working credentials to actually cross into restricted zones like locker rooms, press boxes, and the turf area.

Listening to the story unfold live, Long couldn’t resist poking fun at his colleague’s rare setback on national TV, pointing at the sheer absurdity of a multi-time Pro Bowler getting stopped cold at the gates:

“That’s gotta be the only person in the history of the universe to successfully block J.J. Watt,” Long joked.

While JJ Watt ultimately gained proper access later in the morning – once his paperwork and press credentials were verified – the awkward gate mishap just added a hilarious opening chapter to a big season for him.

CBS just signed Watt to a multi-year deal as its lead analyst. Earlier, the network had parted ways with Tony Romo, prompting Watt to cover the 2026 season alongside Nantz temporarily. But with this new deal, Watt will remain CBS’ lead analyst for many more years to come.

“I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special,” Watt said in a statement after signing the deal. “From the brotherhood of ‘The NFL Today’ to my crews calling games, I couldn’t ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey. I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision, and trust. I love this job and can’t wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!”

Ultimately, Denver’s security crew proved they treat every visitor equally – whether you’re an All-Pro pass rusher enshrined in football lore, or an everyday fan trying to beat the morning rush. Fortunately for CBS, Watt made it to the broadcast booth well before kickoff, leaving the stadium guards as the historic group that can actually claim they locked down JJ Watt on a Sunday.