Brothers ready for ‘special’ reunion
Watt’s game against 2 younger brothers will be an NFL rarity
The Watt brothers’ boisterous rough-housing and nonstop banter was once confined to their parents’ living room and backyard.
“I broke your face one time,” Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T. J. Watt told his older brother, Steelers fullback Derek Watt, during a shared news conference Friday morning.
“And that’s expensive,” Derek Watt said.
There won’t be any social distancing Sunday at Heinz Field when the two square off against big brother J. J. Watt, the Texans’ star defensive end. The Watt siblings are the second set of three brothers to face each other in an NFL game since 1927.
Watt set the raucous tone Friday by crashing his brothers’ Zoom video call at 7 a.m. as if he were busting into the Steelers’ backfield.
An intrepid reporter introduced as “Justin James in Houston,” Watt was looking for answers and a pat on the back for hosting his brothers at his state-of-the-art personal training facility at his Wisconsin home this offseason.
“Hello, this is Justin, ‘Better Brother Gazette’ here,” J. J. Watt said. “This offseason, the beginning of the year when we were going through quarantine, it looked like you guys were training at a really nice facility with a nice gym, a good field, I was just wondering what the membership fees were at such a nice facility when none of the gyms were open?”
T. J. Watt was game for this inquiry from his big bro.
“I can take this one, Derek, because Iwas a high-up member of that community,” T. JWatt said. “The thing about the club owner is he really enjoyed cutting the grass himself. He really enjoyed lining the football field for his members. The grass was always pristine, the gym was always clean. We tried to do our best to clean up after ourselves. We were just very grateful he let us use the facilities.
Added Derek Watt “The fridge was always stocked. The weights were picked up. It was great.”
J. J. Watt wasn’t quite done.
“Last question, then I’ll be on my way,” J. J. started. “Do you guys always do your press conferences together? Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen.”
“Go to practice,” T. J. Watt said.
“Yeah, go to a meeting,” Derek Watt said.
On Sunday, J. J. Watt will be chasing after Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with DerekWatt possibly running interference.
During a Texanswin over the Los Angeles Chargers last season, DerekWatt gave J. J. Watt a chip shot to the ribs.
“That’swhat he does,” J. J. Watt said. “He’s a pesky little fullback. He sticks his elbow in your ribs as you’re pass rushing and then he goes on his way.”
DerekWatt responded to the dig Friday.
“Saw an open and exposed rib and gave it a little shot,” he said. “I think I got him pretty good, and he tried to play it off with a spin move. I’m sure if he finds an opportunity he’ll definitely try to get me back.”
The family rivalry continues Sunday. A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, J. J. Watt is coming off a two-sack game against the Baltimore Ravens. He needs two sacks to become the fourth player in NFL history to get 100 sacks in 115 games or less.
Derek Watt wanted to know if this was J. J. Watt’s last chance to do that.
“Yeah, dude, it’s got to be 115 games,” T. J. Watt said. “I think J. J.’s got enough hardware. He’s got three Defensive Player of the Year (trophies). He’s not shy of telling people that he has those awards, especially me. So I think he doesn’t need this one.”
Turning serious for amoment, T. J. Watt praised J. J. Watt for his willingness to help his little brothers in any way possible.
“He’s kind of been that role model for us since we were young,” T. J. Watt said. “The coolest thing about J. J. is truly being an open book in any aspect of life. That’s what makes him such a great older brother, and Derek as well.”
The Watt brothers’ parents, John and Connie, plan towatch the game on television back in Wisconsin. Because of coronavirus protocols, they can’t attend.
“I know some of our coaches have been talking about just how special of an experience itwould be, and there’s got to be some sort of an exception they could make,” Derek Watt said.
Even without their parents in attendance, Sunday shapes up as a special moment for a proud football family.
“It really doesn’t get any better than that,” J. J. Watt said. “It’s incredible. It’s special.”