Steelers Star TJ Watt Detailed Key Lesson From College Coach That Has Helped Him In The NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt is known for developing plays that can change games, and Sunday's 32-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders was no exception. During the game, Watt caused two turnovers, one of which helped tip the scales in the Steelers' favor. Watt did, however, clarify in the postgame press conference that his achievement wasn't just luck; rather, it was a skill developed over many years, for which he gives credit to Tim Tibesar.

After the Raiders game, Watt talked about how his linebackers coach at the University of Wisconsin, Tibesar, had a big effect on his ability to force turnovers, which has become a signature piece of his game.

"I've been doing the punch-out since, I mean, back to Tim Tibesar back in college at Wisconsin," Watt said. "He coached Peanut Tillman in Chicago, and he’d always tell me how Peanut would get a ball out in practice."

Tibesar's experience with Charles "Peanut" Tillman’s method of releasing the ball from opposing players, which came to be known as the "Peanut Punch," frequently changed the course of a game. 

Tibesar, who coached Tillman with the Chicago Bears and Watt at Wisconsin, saw an opportunity to pass down that invaluable skill. His coaching tenure with the Bears provided the foundation for Watt’s approach to forcing fumbles as well. Tibesar saw an opportunity to pass down that invaluable skill.  

Watt embraced the technique and carried it into his NFL career.

"It's something I've continued to try, especially when you get in those situations," Watt explained. "You don't always get the football, but when you do, it's a big play."

Watt's name is undoubtedly synonymous with big plays, and his performance against the Raiders was just one more achievement in his remarkable career. Throughout the game, Watt was a formidable defensive player, and his two forced fumbles gave the Steelers' defense much-needed momentum after it had faltered in the previous two games. 

The defense’s aggressive style, which emphasizes swarming to the ball, gave Watt the freedom to take calculated risks, like attempting to punch the ball out in the heat of the action.

"When you have a defense that flies around like this, you're able to take more chances."

He can attempt forcing fumbles more often because he believes his teammates will help him during plays. His forced turnovers on Sunday embody how taking calculated chances can pay off handsomely. With a perfectly timed punch late in the second quarter, Watt took the ball away from Raiders running back Dylan Laube's hands late in the second quarter, and Steelers’ Keeanu Benton was right there to recover it, quickly halting a Raiders drive. 

Watt struck again early in the fourth quarter, with Las Vegas threatening on third and goal. Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah tried to power up the middle, but Watt met him with a perfectly executed hit, forcing the ball loose once again.  

Watt’s two forced fumbles on Sunday pushed his career total to an impressive 30. This highlights how much of a game-changer he’s been on the field. His knack for knocking the ball loose has made him one of the most feared defenders in the NFL. Opposing offenses know that with Watt on the field, they can’t afford to be careless because he’s always a threat to make a play that can turn the tide of a game.

Watt's strategy for the game now revolves around this tactic, which he learned from Tibesar. It also emphasizes how crucial college coaching is in determining how an NFL player develops professionally. A player's performance at the professional level is frequently influenced by the knowledge and abilities acquired during those formative years.  

Watt will surely look for more chances to employ the punch-out maneuver, which has grown to be a key component of his defensive strategy, as he continues to have an outstanding season. Every time he forces a fumble, it's evidence of the instruction he got at Wisconsin, Tillman's legacy, and Tibesar's influence. Watt will always be a valuable asset to the Steelers because of his ability to perform well under pressure. 

Steelers Remain Extraordinarily Lucky To Have TJ Watt

The punch-out technique will undoubtedly remain a key weapon in Watt's toolbox as defenses around the league get ready for his relentless style of play. Steeler Nation, and most likely Tibesar, will be proudly watching every time Watt succeeds because they know how much effort and precision go into every big play.  

The punchout technique's significance in Watt's career and legacy will only increase as the Steelers' season progresses. In crucial situations, his ability to force fumbles might be the difference, securing his position as one of the league's best defenders.

Are you surprised to learn where Watt got his forced fumble ability from? Let us know in the comments below!

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