The Pittsburgh Steelers are well known for having a family affair. The team is renowned for having sets of brothers on the roster together. 2022 is no exception. They had pairs of brothers in Cam and Conner Heyward as well as Derek and TJ Watt.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Watt Family, from the left: Connie, TJ, JJ, Derek and John
Of course, this leads to fans wishing and speculating about getting other family members on the team. Whether it is the Edmunds brothers, they Heyward's, or the Watt brothers, fans want them all on the team.
But the Watt's get some special attention. For one thing, they are freakishly good athletes. For another, we are talking about three brothers, not just two and that makes it extra special. Fans have been saying for years that all they needed to do was add the oldest Watt brother, JJ, to the squad.
This isn't the only time this has come up, when the eldest Watt, JJ, requested to be released from the Houston Texans, Steelers fans went wild hoping he was coming to Pittsburgh, but he signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Two years later, Watt announced his retirement from the NFL at the end of the 2022 season and once again speculation bloomed.
TJ Watt on his brother JJ’s retirement announcement. Was asked if we could potentially see all of the Watt brothers in Pittsburgh potentially. #Steelers @937theFan pic.twitter.com/kCx0ZgtM6I
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 30, 2022
Fans again hoped Watt would sign with the Steelers, even for just a year, and make us the only team to have three brothers on the roster.
It isn't hard to understand why folks would want Watt. During his 12-year career, he made quite a name for himself. He was named Defensive Player of the Year three times, Walter Peyton Man of the Year, and selected to five Pro Bowls. He is widely considered to be one of the best defensive players ever to step on the gridiron.
They say he is the player quarterbacks have nightmares about. Watt was so unstoppable in one on one situations, he led the league in double-teams. Watt can do it all, break up passes, stop the run, he's even caught the ball and scored touchdowns.
Now, fans are finally getting their wish, JJ Watt is a part of Steeler Nation.
Steelers With The Watt Monopoly
Watt appeared on an episode of Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take, and announced his allegiance.
He said he is setting aside all previous fandoms and is now a Steelers fan.
Watt was asked about what he is doing in all his newfound free time as a retiree. During his career, he was too busy focusing on his own games to be able to do much more than be supportive. This new free time allows him the luxury of watching.
They asked if he would start being a general football fan again. Would he attend games now? Watt had this to say:
"Yes absolutely, I'm a huge Steelers fan."
The Watt's grew up in Wisconsin and all three attended and played football for the University of Wisconsin. That puts the whole family right in the middle of Green Bay Packers territory. It wouldn't be surprising for JJ to return to rooting for the team he grew up supporting.
But when asked if he would go back to being a Green Bay fan, he said no. He is setting aside all prior allegiances to support his brothers:
"Steelers absolutely, I'm all in on the Steelers."
While it is not the same as a future Hall of Fame player actually joining your team, it might be the next best thing. This allows the Watt family, including the parents, to all come together to support Derek and TJ at the same time, in the same place.
Do you think JJ Watt will stay retired? If he was agreeable to coming on for a year with the Steelers, would you want him? Click to comment below.
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