The Pittsburgh Steelers know a thing or two about having siblings either playing on the same side, or going up against one another. Two out of three times in NFL history, three brothers have matched up in a game. Pittsburgh has been involved with Trey and Terrell facing off against Tremaine Edmunds in 2019, and TJ and Derek taking on the Houston Texans and the elder JJ Watt in 2020.
(Ed Zurga / Associated Press)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce (left), and brother, Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce (62), exchange jerseys after their 2017 game in Kansas City.
Now for the first time ever, siblings will be meeting in the Super Bowl when Travis Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs and Jason's Philadelphia Eagles battle for football's biggest prize on Sunday. Well, the Watt's and Edmunds brothers are still awaiting a Super Bowl. The brotherly love certainly won't be lost in this game with both already having earned rings in their respective careers.
The Watt brothers' ambition of meeting in the game's ultimate showdown is gone with JJ announcing his retirement at the end of the season, but the youngest brother reflected recently in an interview with Fox News Digital about how special it is to be pursuing the same goals as your siblings:
"I think it’s awesome. It’s something that you only dream about growing up in the same house," the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year said. "That’s what gave me the confidence to be in the NFL – JJ did it, Derek did it, why can’t I do it? And to be able to play against them is incredible. To be on the same team as Derek, especially these last two years… I don’t know if I’ll truly be able to understand how special it is until I’m retired and sitting down having a drink and be like, ‘Holy cow, that was really cool.'"
Steelers' TJ Watt Watching Line Play in Super Bowl
The Steelers have some familiarity with both teams in the Super Bowl from some recent meetings including a big loss to the Eagles in Week 8 this season and getting knocked out of the AFC Wild Card by Kansas City in 2022. Watt said he'll be keeping an eye on the play of both lines and that the scrambling abilities of both Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes can be both a good and bad thing for the big men trying to make sure they don't take too many hits.
Credit: NFL.com
TJ Watt scoops a loose ball for the first score in Pittsburgh's Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
"The offensive lines are both, obviously, great. They had a good year and I think it also helps that the quarterbacks are playing at such a high level," he said. "You’re seeing so many more mobile quarterbacks. I mean, each and every year it seems like some teams are converting from a traditional pro style, to a mobile quarterback. And I think any offensive lineman will tell you that makes things just a little bit easier for them at times and also frustrating at times because they scramble around, hold onto us a little bit, but I think both teams are very capable of winning the game. Obviously, that’s what got them there and I’m sure it’ll come down to the wire."
So, Steeler Nation, will you be watching the first sibling showdown in a Super Bowl? What will you be watching for in the big game? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
#SteelerNation
