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Ryan Dehn

Mr. Ratica

Computer Science 2

1/25/21

T.J. Watt: Who Is He

T.J. Watt is a very talented Linebacker. He has been with the Steelers for four years. He

is a key player on the defense. Just this season he has 15 sacks (Pittsburgh Steelers) . In 2019,

he played all 16 games. In these games he has a record of 55 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 36 quarterback

hits, 14 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defensed, 8 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 2

interceptions (Pittsburgh Steelers). His 20.0 sacks in his NFL career are the most by a Steeler in

their first two seasons in the NFL with the team since sacks became an official statistic in 1982

(Pittsburgh Steelers).

Teams Sacks Interceptions Tackles

2018 Season 13 0 68

2019 Season 14.5 2 55

2020 Season 15 1 43
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Born the youngest of three boys, Watt was raised by his parents, Connie and John Watt,

in Pewaukee, Wisconsin (Wikipedia). His father was a firefighter for 25 years and his mother is

the vice president of an independent inspections company (Wikipedia). His two older

brothers, J.J. and Derek, both played at Wisconsin and are both currently playing in the NFL

(Wikipedia). T.J. was teammates with Derek at Wisconsin from 2012-2015 (Wikipedia). Also

during his time at Wisconsin, Watt majored in retailing and consumer behavior (Wikipedia).

He Attended the Pewaukee High School first-team all-conference quarterback, linebacker and

punter named honorable mention all-area at linebacker by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

(Pittsburgh Steelers). He threw for 527 yards with seven TDs, adding 554 rushing yards and

nine rushing TDs as a senior, to go along with 42 tackles and 5.0 sacks on defense (Pittsburgh

Steelers). T.J. Watt also lettered in track and field (Pittsburgh Steelers).

T.J. Watt went to college in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is where he was born and raised. He

got there by coming out of Pewaukee High School, Watt was rated as a three-star recruit by

various recruiting services. (Fandom). Watt started his collegiate career as a tight end recruit for

the Wisconsin Badgers (Fandom). In July 2015, Watt was asked by head coach Paul Chryst to

switch to a defensive position as a redshirt sophomore (Fandom). After the fourth game of his

junior season, he led the Big Ten conference in sacks (Fandom). In the Michigan State game, he

was named the Big Ten Player of the Week and was given the Walter Camp National Defensive

Player of the Week Award (Fandom). During the 2016 season, Watt recorded 59 total tackles

and 11.5 sacks (Fandom). Additionally, he recorded an interception and a defensive touchdown

during the Badgers' game against Purdue (Fandom). On January 3, 2017, Watt announced

on Twitter that he would forgo his senior season and will be entering the 2017 NFL Draft, stating

"After thinking over the options and discussing them with my family, I have decided that the
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time has come to continue my journey and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. This decision was by

no means an easy one, but I feel that it is the right decision for me at this time. Thank you to all

of my teammates, coaches and you fans for the incredible memories. Once a Badger, always a

Badger." (Fandom). On June 14, 2017, the Steelers signed Watt to a fully guaranteed, four-year,

$9.25 million contract with a signing bonus of $4.87 million (Fandom).

T.J. Watt Has Potential to Break Multiple Records. Coming very close to breaking James

Harrisons Sack record in one year, T.J. watt is currently three shy of James Harrison's single

season franchise record (Deardo). T.J. Watt is Pittsburgh’s first round pick in the 2017 NFL

Draft and one of the best young pass rushers in football, already has 20.0 career sacks as he

approaches his third NFL season (Deardo). Watt is also one of the game's best at forcing

turnovers, as he led the Steelers with six forced fumbles in 2018 (Deardo). Watt's quick success

has helped the Steelers lead the league in sacks each of the past two seasons (Deardo).

In conclusion T.J. Watt has come a far way. From growing up, playing football in high

school, getting drafted to Wisconsin college, then being drafted to the one and only Pittsburgh

Steelers. He has had a lot of support from his other two brothers, J.J. and Derek Watt, with his

early football career. T.J. Watt is a big role model for many people, whether it’s having good

sportsmanship, or giving your 100% best you can do in everything you do. Now you know a bit

more about T.J. Watt rather than just the big 90 sacking your quarter back next game.
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Works Cited

Deardo, Bryan. T.J. Watt could break James Harrison's sack record in 2019. 1 7 2019. 28 1

2021.

Fandom. https://americanfootball.fandom.com/wiki/T.J._Watt. 27 1 2021. 27 1 2021.

People Pill. People/T.J. Watt. 29 1 2021. 29 1 2021.

Pittsburgh Steelers. https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/t-j-

watt/#:~:text=Recorded%2034.5%20sacks%20over%20his,44.0%2C%202011%2D14).

26 1 2021. 26 1 2021.

Wikipedia. T. J. Watt. 28 1 2021. 28 1 2021.