WATT BROTHERS: TOGETHER AGAIN
The Watt boys, Derek and T.J., have played together in youth leagues, high school and at the University of Wisconsin. Now, they prepare to fulfill that ultimate football family dream (well, OK, ultimate short of playing with other brother J.J.)
The lanky sophomore was front and center for his first varsity football game, lined up across from the kickoff unit for the season opener on a clear Wisconsin night in Waukesha County. He was still growing into his body, unsure if he would even be in this situation so soon, and you could tell he was nervous. But more than likely, the ball would sail over his head into the waiting arms of his older brother, the team’s do-it-all senior star, the big man on campus back to return.
Then came an onside kick.
“And who do you think they kicked it at?” John Watt recalled.
It bounced right off the chest of the new kid on the block, fell in front of him and got pounced on by the bad guys. As No. 2 in white was left to think about how he messed up his opportunity, No. 20 came running in to be the first one to pick him up off the ground, give him a pat on the back.
“Hey, we’ve got a whole game ahead of us.” “Let’s put that behind us and let’s get going.”
Young T.J. Watt went on to do just fine his first time playing under Friday night lights. Derek Watt would rush for 144 yards and all three of their team’s touchdowns in a 25-15 win. He also kicked a 31-yard field goal. And threw a 2-point conversion pass off a direct snap — to his little brother, leaping for it in the back of the end zone.
J.J. Watt
Team: Houston Texans Age: 31.• Position: DE Drafted: 1st round (11th overall) in 2011 out of Wisconsin. Years in NFL: 9 NFL highlight: Three-time NFL defensive player of the year.
Derek Watt
Team: PIttsburgh Steelers Age: 27 • Position: FB Drafted: 6th round (198th overall) in 2016 out of Wisconsin. Years in NFL: 4
NFL highlight: Has never missed a game in his four NFL seasons.
T.J. Watt
Team: PIttsburgh Steelers Age: 25• Position: OLB Drafted: 1st round (30th overall) in 2017 out of Wisconsin. Years in NFL: 3 NFL highlight: Named first-team All-Pro after the 2019 season.