The Watt brothers are J.J., Derek and T.J. Watt, three brothers from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who all played football at the University of Wisconsin and went on to NFL careers. J.J. became one of the most decorated defensive players of his era with the Houston Texans, T.J. has been a record-setting pass rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Derek carved out a long career as a fullback and special teams player with the Chargers and Steelers. Here is what you need to know about each brother, their family and what they have achieved.
The Watt brothers at a glance
| J.J. Watt | Derek Watt | T.J. Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1989 | 1992 | October 11, 1994 |
| Position | Defensive end | Fullback, special teams | Outside linebacker |
| College | Central Michigan, then Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wisconsin |
| Drafted | 2011, 1st round, Houston Texans | 2016, 6th round, San Diego Chargers | 2017, 1st round, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| NFL teams | Texans, Cardinals | Chargers, Steelers | Steelers |
| Headline honor | Three-time Defensive Player of the Year | Long-serving special teams contributor | 2021 Defensive Player of the Year |
Growing up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin
The brothers grew up in Pewaukee, a small community in Waukesha County west of Milwaukee. Their parents, John and Connie Watt, are often credited by the brothers for their work ethic. John worked as a firefighter, and the family has spoken publicly about the long drives, early mornings and sacrifices involved in supporting three boys through youth sports. J.J. played youth hockey before football became his main focus, and all three brothers went through Pewaukee High School.
The brothers have repeatedly described their parents as the foundation of their success: modest, hands-on and insistent that effort mattered more than talent. That message became part of the family’s public image, and it shows up in how all three talk about preparation and humility.
J.J. Watt: the eldest brother
College path
J.J. Watt’s route to stardom was not straightforward. He started at Central Michigan University as a tight end, then left, returned home and walked on at the University of Wisconsin. He earned a scholarship and switched to defensive end, becoming one of the Badgers’ most disruptive players in 2009 and 2010.
NFL career
The Houston Texans selected J.J. in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Over the following seasons he became one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, winning AP Defensive Player of the Year three times (2012, 2014 and 2015) and posting two seasons with more than 20 sacks. He was also known for batting down passes at the line, earning the nickname “J.J. Swat.”
Injuries interrupted several of his later seasons in Houston, including back, leg and pectoral injuries that cut seasons short. His long recoveries were a public example of how much rehab work sits behind an NFL comeback, a topic covered in our guide to orthopedic and sports physiotherapy for injury management. He joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 and retired after the 2022 season. He has since worked as an NFL analyst on television and, with his wife, invested in English soccer club Burnley.
Philanthropy
J.J. is widely known for his charity work. His foundation has funded after-school athletic programs for middle schools, and after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, an online fundraiser he started raised tens of millions of dollars for relief. That effort was a major reason he received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for 2017. He is married to Kealia Watt (formerly Ohai), a former professional soccer player, and their first son was born in 2022.
Derek Watt: the middle brother
Derek Watt played fullback at Wisconsin from 2012 to 2015, a role built on blocking and toughness rather than statistics. The San Diego Chargers drafted him in the sixth round in 2016, and he spent four seasons with the franchise as it moved to Los Angeles, playing mainly fullback and on special teams.
In 2020, Derek signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining his younger brother T.J. He was valued as a special teams leader and lead blocker, and he played for Pittsburgh through the 2022 season. Fullbacks and special teams players rarely collect headlines, but staying on NFL rosters for seven seasons in that role reflects consistency and reliability that coaches prize.
T.J. Watt: the youngest brother
From tight end to linebacker
T.J. Watt arrived at Wisconsin as a tight end, but knee injuries set him back early. He moved to outside linebacker and broke out in the 2016 season, which was enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers to take him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
A record-setting pass rusher
T.J. quickly became one of the league’s best edge rushers. He led the NFL in sacks in multiple seasons, and in 2021 he recorded 22.5 sacks, tying the single-season record, on his way to AP Defensive Player of the Year. That made the Watts the first set of brothers in which two had won the award. He is also known for forcing fumbles and making plays in big moments, and he has signed contract extensions with Pittsburgh that ranked among the richest for a defensive player at the time they were signed.
Did the Watt brothers ever play on the same team?
All three brothers played for the Wisconsin Badgers, although their college careers overlapped only partly. In the NFL, the three have never all been on the same roster. Derek and T.J. were teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2020 to 2022, while J.J. spent his career with the Texans and Cardinals. When J.J. became a free agent in 2021, there was plenty of fan speculation about a family reunion in Pittsburgh, but he chose Arizona.
What makes the Watt brothers stand out
- Three NFL players from one family: sets of NFL brothers exist, but three from the same household, all from a small Wisconsin town, is rare.
- Two Defensive Player of the Year winners: J.J. won three times and T.J. once, giving the family four between them.
- Different paths: a walk-on who became a superstar, a sixth-round pick who lasted seven seasons, and a first-rounder who hit historic sack numbers.
- Giving back: the family is associated with youth sports support and disaster relief, especially J.J.’s Harvey fundraiser.
Football families are a recurring theme in the NFL. If you enjoy these stories, read about Dak Prescott’s brother and the family behind the Cowboys quarterback.
The Watts and the Super Bowl
For all their individual honors, none of the Watt brothers has won a Super Bowl. J.J.’s Texans and Cardinals and the Steelers teams Derek and T.J. played on made the playoffs several times without reaching the title game. That gap is one of the few things missing from the family’s résumé, and it is a reminder of how hard it is to win a championship even with elite individual talent on the roster. Playoff success depends on quarterback play, depth, health and a fair amount of luck in single-elimination games.
Fans hoping to see the biggest game in person usually turn to resale marketplaces, which keep event pages up year after year, such as this page for Super Bowl 2024 tickets at TicketSmarter. Super Bowl prices are among the highest in American sports, so compare listings, check the seller’s guarantee and buy early if you can.
Lessons from the Watt family story
Young athletes and parents often point to the Watts as an example, and a few themes stand out. None of the three was a sure thing as a teenager: J.J. had to walk on after leaving his first college, T.J. had to change positions after injuries, and Derek was a late-round pick at a position many teams no longer use much. Each found a role, committed to it and improved year after year. Their story is less about natural gifts and more about patience, coaching and being willing to take the harder route when the easy one closed.
Life after football
J.J. has moved into broadcasting and business, while T.J. remains the most prominent active player in the family. Their public image, built on hard work, family loyalty and community involvement, has kept the Watt name popular with fans well beyond Wisconsin and the cities where they played.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Watt brothers?
The Watt brothers are J.J., Derek and T.J. Watt, three brothers from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who all played college football at Wisconsin and then in the NFL.
Which Watt brother is the oldest?
J.J. Watt is the oldest, born in 1989. Derek was born in 1992, and T.J., the youngest, was born in 1994.
Have all three Watt brothers played on the same NFL team?
No. Derek and T.J. played together for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2020 to 2022, but J.J. played for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
How many Defensive Player of the Year awards do the Watt brothers have?
Four in total. J.J. won the award in 2012, 2014 and 2015, and T.J. won it in 2021.
Who are the Watt brothers’ parents?
Their parents are John and Connie Watt, who raised the brothers in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. John worked as a firefighter.
