Sunday will be only the third time that three brothers have played in the same game in the 100-year history of the NFL.
When T.J. and Derek Watt take on their brother J.J. and the Houston Texans on Sunday, it will be the third time that three brothers have played in the same game in the 100-year history of the NFL.
The eldest Watt, defensive end J.J., was the first of the brothers’ trio to enter the NFL via the 2011 draft. Fullback Derek was next up in 2016 (San Diego Chargers). The youngest, T.J., was, of course, snapped up by Pittsburgh in 2017. Justin James and Trent Jordan were both first-round selections, and Derek was sixth.
After nearly 20 seasons between them, this Sunday, all three will play together for the first time in an NFL game. T.J. has played Derek, and Derek played J.J. When the Steelers and the Texans faced off in December 2017, J.J. was on injured reserve, so Sunday will be the only time T.J. has played against J.J.
It could also be the one and only time an event like this happens for the Watts. Pittsburgh plays Houston only every four years, and J.J. will likely have hung up his cleats by 2023.
The last time T.J. played against Derek was Oct. 23, 2019, and the linebacker compiled a half-sack, three tackles, four QB hits and a batted pass. The first time their teams went to battle, T.J. had a quiet game with a tackle and a QB hit.
And now they’re on the same team, which makes Sunday possible.
Unfortunately, Connie and John Watt can’t be at Heinz Field on Sunday to watch this momentous occasion unfold in person. The stadium remains closed to fans — yes, even V.I.Ps. But it’s something T.J. and Derek understand.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about our safety, the whole team, keeping the season on track and not putting that in jeopardy,” said Derek in a Friday press conference shared with T.J. (and a special appearance by J.J.). “It’s unfortunate that they won’t be able to be here. They’ll be watching at home and re-watch and rewind. They’re just grateful that we’re able to experience it, and they’ll get plenty of pictures, I’m sure.”
“It’s definitely a different game when they are able to play together or against each other,” said Connie in an interview for Steelers.com. “It’s something we treasure. It’s a remarkable experience. We are all excited.”
The second time three brothers appeared in one NFL game was last December when the Steelers played the Buffalo Bills. Two brothers, safety Terrell Edmunds and running back Trey Edmunds, are on Pittsburgh’s roster. Their brother, Tremaine, is a linebacker for the Bills.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the first set of brothers to play in an NFL game was in 1927 when Joe, Cobb and Bill Rooney all played for the Duluth Eskimos.
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