Three-time Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt has said many times that it was a “dream” to play alongside brothers TJ and Derek.
JJ retired last year without realizing that dream.
However, that almost happened midway through this season. The future Hall of Famer admitted he was “keeping an eye on” the situation with the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
JJ spent 10 of his dozen seasons in Houston, while TJ plays for the Steelers.
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TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers (left) and JJ Watt of the Houston Texans before a game at NRG Stadium in Houston on October 1, 2023. (Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
His brother visited TJ during the season, and said it was the first time he truly missed soccer. He later joked that the Steelers lost their next three games.
However, JJ also stated that he would only return to a team where he was a legitimate contender, which is why the only way TJ could scout his brother was by winning.
“I was trying to win as much as I could. I knew that was going to be a big factor,” TJ said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “At the end of the day, all business decisions are separate from that. He was preparing for a rainy day, and obviously it didn’t happen.”
TJ’s pain the next day helped bring Old Man Watt back to reality.
JJ said he was able to go for walks and have coffee instead of having to undergo treatment and deal with pain like his brother.
TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after recording a sack during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on January 1, 2023 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“In hindsight, I think he’s glad he came back and didn’t have to deal with the pain or anything like that,” TJ said. “He hasn’t had a bad life.”
TJ’s Steelers snuck into the playoffs, but a knee injury in Week 18 forced them to lose in the wild card round without him. Although he didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, TJ will still be in Las Vegas for the big game that gives him a chance to win. lifetime.
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Ahead of his potential to be named the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, TJ gives injured veteran Adam Alexander a ticket to the Super Bowl. Alexander was attacked by an enemy sniper in Afghanistan and given only 5% to live.
Watt, along with other NFL stars, partnered with USAA to give veterans tickets to the big game.
Former NFL player JJ Watt visits the set of Amazon Prime’s TNF Pregame Show before the Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game at Acresure Stadium in Pittsburgh on November 2, 2023. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
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“These people are fighting for our freedom,” he said. “I get to play football and make a living doing what I love because they make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. So I have the utmost respect for them. We are very grateful and proud of this partnership.”
“At the end of the day, we say thank you, but they are the ultimate heroes and deserve the spotlight far more than we do.”
If Watt wins the DPOY award on Thursday, the Watt brothers will have won the award a total of five times.
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