Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt first love was hockey, and he’s rooting for the Penguins and Phil Kessel
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Actually, T.J. Watt鈥檚 earliest dream in sports was not to sack quarterbacks for a living. That came much later.
At first it was scoring goals. Growing up in Pewaukee, Wisc., the Watt brothers, which includes T.J.鈥檚 older siblings J.J. and Derek, all grew up playing hockey. Yep, the Steelers鈥� 6-foot-4, 252-pound outside linebacker was gliding around on skates shortly after the time he could walk.
T.J. Watt was a center, at least in hockey, and played the game from age 2 until he was about 11, at which point the cost of travel and equipment led him to playing football.
That turned out to be a wise career path for Watt, but he still enjoys hockey and is hoping to soon take in one of the Penguins鈥� games against Nashville in the Stanley Cup Final.
Since being drafted 30th overall by Pittsburgh, Watt has been inundated with hockey as much as football in his adopted hometown.
鈥淵ou roll through my timeline on Twitter, that鈥檚 all you see last night was the game,鈥� Watt said. 鈥�(Pittsburghers) embody each and every sport, it not just one sport. It鈥檚 so cool. They really back each and every sport in the city and that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so special.鈥�
And, yes, Watt does have a favorite on the Penguins: Phil Kessel.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a Wisconsin product and, obviously, always rooting for him,鈥� Watt said.