NFL fines T.J. Watt hefty sum for joke about checking phone at halftime
Apparently, the NFL’s no-fun-league attitude extends even to the Defensive Player of the Year. Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt shared this week on Pardon My Take that the NFL fined him $10,000 for what he claims was a joke he told. After Week 18, in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Watt “joked” that he used his phone at halftime to check if his sack registered in the stat sheet.
Watt told PMT that he was joking, but the NFL didn’t buy it.
“I jokingly said that I checked my phone of halftime of the Baltimore game, and the NFL took it as a real saying and fined me $10,000,” Watt said. “It’s just one of those things where I’m allowed to have my phone on me at all 90 minutes before the game, or during halftime.”
The league’s policy for players restricts them from using their phones during the game and in the hour and a half before the contest.
After winning the NFL’s DPOY award, Watt’s name went in the Steeler’s history books as the seventh defender to ever win the award in franchise history.
Watt joined Troy Polamalu (2010), James Harrison (2008), Rod Woodson (1993), Jack Lambert (1976), Mel Blount (1975) and Joe Greene (1972, 1974) as the only Steelers to win the prestigious award.
Watt had a season to remember, tying Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 22.5. The accomplishment made him a near-lock for the award, especially when Watt did it in just 15 games after missing two due to injury.
In addition, the former Wisconsin star tallied 64 tackles, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries with seven pass deflections over 15 games. His 21 tackles for loss and 39 quarterback hits also ranked among the league’s best.
Watt shares portion of sack record
In the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens, TJ Watt thought he tied Michael Strahan’s longstanding NFL sack record. On the Ravens opening drive, Watt took down Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley — a play where Huntley fumbled, and Watt celebrated.
However, the celebration was short because of a controversial scoring decision. The scorekeeper at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore determined Huntley was a runner, and Watt got no credit for a sack on the play. The Steelers star was still one sack behind Strahan.
Then, Watt left no doubts. With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, the former Wisconsin star took down Huntley with emphasis. Officially, the Steelers star tied Strahan’s record of 22.5 sacks in a season.