JJ Watt’s parents John, and Connie Watt, are proud they were able to raise three boys who all played in the NFL. The hard-working mentality the couple inserted in their kids certainly didn’t go to waste.
Many would think the Watt family has a rich history in sports, looking at JJ and TJ’s success. But that isn’t quite the case. In an interview, Connie straight up said she wasn’t athletic, and John, though interested in hockey, never became a professional player.
Since retiring from the NFL, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, JJ Watt, has focused his attention on another sport. With his wife, Kealia Watt, a former soccer player, JJ is a minority shareholder in the Premier League side Burnley.
Recently during a conversation with ESPN, JJ Watt said he wants the soccer craze to take over the USA and support his side. With Lionel Messi’s move to MLS side Inter Miami, the price of their tickets has reached an all-time high.
JJ Watt Parents, John, And Connie Watt
JJ Watt’s parents John, and Connie Watt, raised three boys in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. In the past, the NFL star has credited his family for keeping him humble and teaching him a work ethic from a young age.
John Watt worked 28 years as a firefighter for Pewaukee Fire Department and retired in 2013 as a lieutenant. In 2015, JJ shared an Instagram post paying tribute to his father on his birthday.
The defensive end wrote a lengthy caption stating how as a child, he never knew his father was putting himself in dangerous situations. JJ used to think his father would go and play with fire trucks just like he did at home with his firetruck toys.
In an interview, JJ said his father instilled a winners mentality in him and his two brothers. He wanted them to be the best at whatever they did.
Connie Watt Wants This More Than A Super Bowl Trophy
JJ’s mother, Connie Watt, previously worked as the vice president of a building inspection company. Like her husband, Connie retired in 2013 and has been working JJ Watt Foundation.
In an interview from 2019, Connie opened up about parenting three boys. Connie was only 20 years old when she had JJ. Whenever presented with the question if it was tough to raise three boys, Connie said it wasn’t as tough as it sounded.
The boys were pretty much maintenance-free kids. But even then, Connie and John were strict and detail-oriented parents. Connie would make a chore chart in Excel, making it easier for her to assign duties to the boys.
In 2014, three years after playing in the NFL, JJ gifted his mom Range Rover for her birthday. He shared a few pictures on his Twitter handle, including one of Mrs. Watt in the driver’s seat.
He captioned the post, “I have wanted to be able to do this my whole life. For all you have worked and sacrificed, you deserve it. Happy B-Day Mom!”
At the end of her interview with Today, Connie said it would mean more if her sons continued to be really good people. The family would love to have a Super Bowl trophy to keep in the living area, but being a good human being surpasses everything.
JJ Watt Brothers, Derek, And TJ Watt
It’s not an everyday coincidence that we hear all three brothers were able to make it to the NFL. But the Watt family can pride itself on being able to do just that.
JJ, the oldest of the three, has two younger brothers, Derek and TJ Watt. In 2020, when the three brothers met on the field, it was the only second time it had happened since 1927.
Derek Watt Played For The Chargers
The middle child of the Watt family, Derek Watt, was born on November 7, 1992, three years after JJ.
Derek followed in his older brother’s footsteps and graduated from Pewaukee High School. He committed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was drafted by Los Angeles Charges in the 2016 NFL Draft.
In 2020, Derek joined his younger brother, TJ Watt, at Pittsburgh Steelers, and earlier this year, he and TJ had their number retired from Pewaukee High School.
Since April, Derek has been a free agent, but there is a chance he might re-sign with the Steelers after the recent retirement of Monte Pottebaum.
Talking about his personal life, Derek, with his wife Gabriella Watt, is father to two sons, Logan and Brayden. The couple tied the knot in 2018 after three years of dating.
TJ Watt Is A Linebacker For The Steelers
TJ Watt, the youngest of the three, was born on October 11, 1994. At the University of Wisconsin, TJ was teammates with his brother, Derek, until 2015.
TJ was drafted in 2017 by the Steelers as he forgo his senior year. The younger Watt brother has repaid the faith shown to him by the franchise.
In 2021, he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, an honor won three times by his oldest brother. In his interview with the NFL website in 2022, TJ talked about the legacy left behind by his brother.
He also said he didn’t want to be compared to him as he is still in the early stages of his career. The linebacker married his college sweetheart, Dani Rhodes, last year on July 9, 2022, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
After a great 2021 season, 2022 didn’t go as expected for TJ. With injuries derailing his 2022 season, the linebacker looks to replicate his 2021 season.
