Watt brothers take backyard dream to NFL
Instead of their parents’ backyard in Wisconsin, the Watt brothers’ sibling rivalry will be on display in an NFL stadium.
For the first time Sunday, Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt will get to compete against one of his younger brothers in an actual game.
Four years older than Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek Watt and six years older than Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, J.J. Watt was sidelined with injuries during each of the Texans’ previous games against his brothers.
Now, J.J. Watt can’t wait to compete against Derek Watt on Sunday in Carson, Calif., at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Watt acknowledged that it’s going to feel a bit strange to knock heads with his brother, a 6-2, 235pound starting fullback and core special-teams contributor.
“It’s very surreal,” J.J. Watt said. “Even just being at a meeting and seeing him on the scouting report and flipping on the film and all of the sudden it’s your brother on the film instead of just a fullback. It’s very cool.
“I’m not going to try and act like it’s not exciting or anything. It’s awesome. I mean, we literally played football in the backyard, in the front yard, dreamt about playing the NFL. So, this is going to be very special.”
For Derek Watt, the prospects of a physical encounter with his famous older brother is something he would relish even though he’s roughly 60 pounds lighter and three inches shorter than the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s extremely special,” Derek Watt said. “He’s never been on the field with us. I know he was extremely envious of T.J. and I in high school originally. When he was in college we both were in high school. Once we went to Wisconsin, we had the chance there as well. I know he’s been extremely jealous of that.”
An aggressive collision that would thrill the brothers and possibly make their parents cringe a bit could be in the offing.
“There’s always that chance,” Derek Watt said. “You’re on the field at the same time. It’s not often that I’m blocking someone at his position. So I’m not expecting to be going up against him one-onon very often, if at all honestly. You never know, though.
“He can make plays, that’s for sure. If he beats his guy and I happen to be in there and have to clean him up, then we’ll find out what happens on Sunday.”
A former sixth-round draft pick from Wisconsin, Derek Watt and T.J. Watt both played for the Badgers like their famous older brother and at Pewaukee High School.
Derek Watt had a 53-yard catch against the Denver Broncos as a rookie. Last year, he played in every game and had four carries for 11 rushing yards and one catch for 2 yards.
So far this year, Derek Watt has two runs for 4 yards and one catch for 3 yards.
His primary value to the Chargers is as a lead blocker and on special teams. He’s tied for the team lead with two tackles in kick coverage.
It’s staggering to many to see three brothers playing and starting in the NFL at the same time.
“What a family,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Three brothers playing in the NFL, that’s incredible. There’s obviously not many families that can say that, and Derek is a good player, fullback, special-teams player, plays hard, very smart player. He’s a core player for them and I’m sure it’ll be a fun day and it’ll be definitely some bragging rights on the line for the Watt family.”
Derek Watt has gotten his licks in on his big brother in the past, but it was in a far tamer setting.
“There was more getting hit with mini hockey sticks than it was actual hits,” J.J. Watt said. “I love watching him play. He’s a great special-teams player, throws his body around as a fullback. He’s willing to take on middle linebackers, take on guys on the edge.
“He can catch. He had a nice toe-tap last week. He’s very smart. He’s cerebral, he likes to think.”
J.J. Watt and Derek Watt have already Facetimed this week in anticipation of Sunday. J.J. Watt wanted to see his nephew, Logan, though.
Toward the end of their conversation, J.J. Watt turned his attention toward football matters and attempted to delve into strategy.
“My son was crawling around and then he threw in there at the end, ‘Hey, what’s the game plan looking like this week?’ and obviously I didn’t give him anything there,” Derek Watt said. “We’ll see as the week goes on if there’s any more banter and I’m sure on gameday.”
No, there aren’t any bets being placed on this game between the brothers. What’s on the line is two AFC playoff teams from a year ago hoping to improve on their 1-1 records and bragging rights, of course.
“I want to see his son, I’m so excited to see Logan,” Watt said. “I haven’t seen him in a while so I’m very excited to see him and get a chance to say hello and try to talk him into wearing a Texans jersey for the game.
“My parents will be there, so it’ll be nice. We’ll definitely see each other. For us, it’s very easy to be best friends and brothers right up until kickoff and then during the game, flip the switch.”
For John Watt and Connie Watt, Sunday figures to be a fun experience.
The stress is mostly felt by the brothers’ mom. Their dad has a different kind of reaction to the action on the field.
“Probably nerve-wracking for my mom,” J.J. Watt said. “For my dad, I don’t know. He’ll probably find something to tell us that we did wrong on every play.”
Watt had a similar experience to his parents watching his brothers square off last year. He found himself unsure of what to root for.
“If Derek was not in the game, then I would want T.J. to get a sack and if Derek was in the game, then it was like ‘I hope he gets a catch, but not on T.J.’s side,’” J.J. Watt said. “It’s really weird. It’s interesting because that kind of put me in my parents’ eyes. I don’t know what they want to happen this weekend. They probably want me to get five sacks and Derek to get a couple of touchdowns.”