There's not a more historically successful franchise than the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, especially when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. Steelers' defensive superstar and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), TJ Watt is trying his best to help this team hold up that historical legacy in the upcoming 2022 season.
Before his historical tear he's currently on, Watt's career could've ended before it began, as he faced a dilemma of whether or not to continue his football career in 2013.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Watt was motivated by his initially injury riddled career at the University of Wisconsin and continued on. Now, he's dominating offensive linemen, week in and week out, being an absolute game wrecker!
In a recent interview with NBC Sports’ reporter Peter King, Watt discussed several topics including being a part of such a historical franchise like the Steelers.
King asked Watt, "How much do you, as a Steeler and as good of a player as you are, feel and or appreciate the weight of history around here?"
"It's huge," Watt stated emphatically in the interview. "It's definitely the elephant room. It's something that is talked about all the time. It's not just about us here. It's about all those guys that came before us and laid the foundation of truly ‘Blitzburgh,’ the ‘Steel Curtain,’ everything. And it's just trying to make our own legacy within this incredibly traditional organization. And it's very hard to do, especially nowadays. But that's why even last year, letting up as many rushing yards as we did is absolutely, completely unacceptable for any NFL team let alone, the Pittsburgh Steelers. So it's definitely talked about a lot here in Latrobe, where a lot of those teams are prepared for seasons."
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, T.J. Watt (#90) celebrates alongside defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward (#97) and linebacker, Alex Highsmith (#56). | NFL.com
Paying respect to the greats that have came before him, now that's the "Steelers Way." King proceeds to asks Watt about the Steelers being unknowns this season and what the team has to do to be successful in 2022.
"Play good defense is where it starts," Watt answered in the interview. "Obviously as a defensive player, I need to say that, but I think that's where it starts. We need to shut teams out early in games, keep the points down and let our offense go to work. And obviously we've got a good workhorse in Najee [Harris], feel really good about the quarterbacks that we have, whoever is going to be starting in week one and we have a good group of receivers as well.For me personally, I think that we need to do really really well on defense. We can't have those hundred plus yard running games back to back weeks like we had last year. So that's where it starts for sure."
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
I have said this time and time again this off-season. For the Steelers to have a successful campaign in the upcoming 2022 season, the team needs to rely heavily on the rushing attack with Harris and the impressive defense that should be one of the top units in all of football!
What are yinz thoughts on Watt paying respects to those who have came before him? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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