T.J. Watt joins prestigious company after winning 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award

After Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt was named as the NFL’s 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, his name will now be etched in the Steeler’s history books as the seventh Steelers defender to ever win the award.

Watt joins 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, making him a borderline lock to win Defensive Player of the Year. Especially when Watt did it in just 15 games after missing two due to injury.

In addition, Watt 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.

The former Wisconsin star – and brother of JJ Watt, who is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year himself – beat out perineal winner Aaron Donald, who starred again for the Los Angeles Rams on the defensive line. He also beat the pair of Dallas Cowboys defensive stars Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons, who broke out as two of the NFL’s best young defenders during the 2021 season.

“Wow. I just want to thank my parents. My mom and my dad,” TJ Watt said during his acceptance speech Friday night. “My brothers Derek and JJ. You guys have just pushed me so much to be able to get me to this point. My beautiful fiancé Danny for being my number one supporter. My teammates and coaches back home in Pittsburgh, this truly is not possible without you guys that put in so much work that goes unnoticed. That goes for the guys that put in work in the cafeterias, the guys that are taping ankles — this one is for all you guys.”

With the retirement of long-time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from the NFL, a new era in Pittsburgh is being ushered in as we speak and Watt is one of the foundations of the new-look Steelers in 2022. With the future of the Steelers uncertain, Watt made one guarantee — he’ll be back on the podium again to become the second Steeler to ever win the DPOY award twice.

“I grew up coming to this awards show. I think I’ve been about four or five times, never came home with hardware,” Watt said. “But every time I left more motivated than the time I got here and I promise this only motivates me more, so thank you.”