Having an elite defense is ingrained into the Pittsburgh Steeler’s identity and these days that defense is led by all-pro linebacker T.J. Watt.
Watt has already had a remarkable career, recently recording both his 100th sack and his 30th birthday, but he knows football can’t last forever. He recently spoke about how much longer he’d be able to compete on Sundays.
“T.J. Watt on possibly playing until he’s 40: “My wife probably wouldn’t like that. But I love football. I love it right now. I see myself loving it for a long time and as long as my body holds up, I want to play as long as I can. I don’t want to get caught looking in the future. I just wanna focus on today,” tweeted Steelers Depot ahead of Pittsburgh’s Week Eight matchup against the New York Giants.
T.J. Watt on possibly playing until he's 40: “My wife probably wouldn’t like that. But I love football. I love it right now. I see myself loving it for a long time and as long as my body holds up, I want to play as long as I can. I don’t want to get caught looking in the future.…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 27, 2024
Fans reacted to the declaration online.
“Love the whole house and him wanting to stay here in the now more,” one fan said on Twitter.
“Steeler till he retires,” one fan added.
“He is good as gone. He wants to win a championship and he knows it can’t be here,” added one dejected fan.
As shocking as the notion of playing until he’s 40 might sound, if anyone can pull off the feat, it’s Watt.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.