Steelers' TJ Watt Jokes That Cam Heyward Hasn't Had A Fight Yet, But One Is Coming 'For Sure' in 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers are well known for the odd fight in practice. Outside linebacker TJ Watt says that there haven't been any scuffles yet, but the possibility of one becomes more and more likely as Cam Heyward's reps in practice increase. The veteran defensive tackle is no stranger to the extra violence in the offseason and some of his longtime teammates think it's because he's often involved. 

The 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year recalled during an appearance on the Footbahlin' podcast with former Steelers legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that in his rookie year, the team was actively looking to have a fight before they headed out to Latrobe, PA for training camp. Roethlisberger thought that Heyward, who he remembered getting into at least one tussle every couple of weeks in practice, would've started one by now. Watt said it might be a little bit by design. 

"It's one play and get him out there," Watt said of Heyward's reps so far. "He's too old. He hasn't had the chance yet [to get in a fight]. Come to Latrobe, he'll be fighting for sure."

Like Heyward, Watt hasn't been doing much during the football in shorts portion of the offseason either. For him, it's frustrating because he said he'll make a play and immediately Head Coach Mike Tomlin or someone else will call to take him out. 

Steelers Offensive Line Has Saying That Leads To Practice Fights

In what he thought was his rookie year on the first or second day in pads, Watt remembered a defender bull-rushed into the lineman, making him stumble back and have his foot land on Roethlisberger's. The offensive lineman in question was Alejandro Villanueva. He was anticipating a fight, but it didn't happen. 

"[Villanueva] stepped on your foot and you [Roethlisberger] went down," he recalled. "I was like, 'No.' It was so quiet and it was my rookie year, it's over already."

The reason that Watt thought a fight would be coming is an often repeated phrase that both he and Roethlisberger rhymed off that the offensive line used to use. 'Seven will get you ten.'  Watt explained that on Coach Tomlin's rules, number seven is no bull rushing, and then number ten is no fighting. They laughed together stating that bull rush would get you into a fight. 

Roethlisberger's co-host Spencer T'eo asked Watt if there's a kind of badge of honor for getting into fights at practice and he responded that as a player, you have to find the right balance.   

"A couple of years ago, we had a guy that was just fighting everyday," he said. "The first day, we are like, 'Let's go, this is awesome.' But by the second day, it's like alright."    

Roethlisberger asked what about Cam Heyward to which Watt said he can go every day if he wants to. 

"We can see through all of it," Watt said. "If it's a tough guy thing. If it's a guy that's established and he gets pissed off and he goes and fights, we've got his back. Clearly, you did something wrong to provoke him to want to fight." 

There's usually at least one fight during the offseason in Pittsburgh Watt said. Roethlisberger added that usually, it's the offensive line and defensive line going at it for something someone did like a hold or a bull rush. Sometimes, it will be a defensive back and a receiver like Ike Taylor and Antonio Brown who had their well-publicized battles back in the day.

It's inevitable to have fights when you're going up against the same guy over and over for months Watt said. It's just a matter of being able to move forward from them like the team was able to do in 2000.  

So, Steeler Nation, do you think Cam Heyward is the first to start a fight in Latrobe? Do you think fighting at practice is a bad thing? Comment below!

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