Steelers’ TJ Watt jokes that a ‘lesser athlete would have been hurt’ by his viral pool trap: ‘I don’t know how I missed a step, but I did’
- The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year got to his feet quickly and without incident
- The 28-year-old’s brother, JJ, described the footage as ‘the most TJ video ever’
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NFL linebacker TJ Watts joked that his athleticism saved him from a serious injury as he spooked Pittsburgh Steelers fans on social media last week after posting video of his dangerous-looking dip in his pool.
Footage from earlier in May shows the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year trying to clean his pool when he slipped off the edge and briefly submerged in the water.
The five-time Pro Bowl roster quickly got to his feet without incident and took to social media to reveal he’s fine.
“Warning.. The activity in this video may be dangerous…don’t try it at home.. (I’m totally fine),” Watt wrote on Twitter.
JJ Watt – a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year – was quick to give his younger brother the company.
Security footage from May 18 shows TJ Watt falling into his pool while trying to clean it
Watt’s brother, JJ, said the footage of the linebacker’s fall was the ‘most TJ video’ he’s ever seen
TJ Watt on the fall in his pool: “I don’t know how I missed a step, but I did it. A lesser athlete would have been injured.” pic.twitter.com/zOXTLDslJl
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) May 25, 2023
Watt was the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, four seasons after the Steelers drafted him
“This is the most ‘TJ’ video I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” he wrote. “(at least this explains why you were late to clean mine today).”
Watt first opened up about his fall during Steelers practice on Thursday, poking fun at the incident.
He also acknowledged that his above-average athleticism aided in a better result than most had initially feared while watching the video.
“I don’t know how I missed a step, but I did,” he told reporters. “A lesser athlete would have been injured.”
Watt (far left) pictured with his brothers Derek (No. 44) and JJ (No. 99) at Heinz Field in 2020
Watt is currently married to Dani Rhodes, a professional soccer player since July 2022
Watt’s elite reflexes saw him become a finalist for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2019 and 2020, before winning the award in 2021.
Later that same year, the 28-year-old signed a four-year extension worth more than $112 million, including $80 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
He also tied the NFL single-season record for most quarterback sacks, tying Michael Strahan’s sack record set in 2001.
Outside of football, Watt is the youngest of three boys in his family. JJ was a five-time All-Pro defensive end selected by the Houston Texans with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Derek is a free fullback who played for the LA Chargers and Steelers where he was teammates from 2020-22 at TJ.
Watt is currently married to Dani Rhodes – a professional football player, whom he met during his college days at his alma mater – Wisconsin. The couple tied the knot in July 2022.