First Call: T.J. Watt shines at Pro Bowl, Kris Letang's son becomes All-Star media darling

Tim Benz
Monday, Jan. 27, 2020 8:37 a.m. | Monday, Jan. 27, 2020 8:37 a.m.

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AFC linebacker T.J. Watt, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, runs for a touchdown, during the second half of the NFL Pro Bowl game against the NFC, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. To the right is linebacker Darius Leonard, of the Indianapolis Colts.

Monday’s “First Call” features T.J. Watt’s big play in the Pro Bowl. Kris Letang’s son was the star of stars at the NHL All-Star Game. NBA and NFL players honor Kobe Bryant. Cameras capture Tiger Woods’ reaction to the news about Bryant in real time.

TD for T.J.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt made an impact in the Pro Bowl.

NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins fumbled after a strip sack from Jacksonville’s Calais Campbell. Watt returned the ball 82 yards for a touchdown.

Campbell & Watt help Kirk Cousins blow a 4Q comeback in the Pro Bowl. pic.twitter.com/if04KKtsEG

— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) January 26, 2020

Joe Haden intercepted a pass from Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, too.

The AFC won 38-33. The AFC has won four Pro Bowl games in a row. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson was the game’s MVP.

Star of the All Stars

The NHL All-Star Game was Saturday.

Kris Letang was there for the Penguins. But his son, Alex, stole the show in the interview sessions.

Alex Letang: "That was really fun. I was happy to come to the games."

More with Alex/Kris Letang and Tristan Jarry ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vEQpi1tXnd

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 26, 2020

Letang was captain of the Metro Division. When Tristan Jarry wasn’t getting grilled by 7-year-old Alex with interview questions, he played in goal. Their division lost to the Atlantic 9-5.

For Kobe

The NFC defensive players in the Pro Bowl came up with a unique celebration to honor Kobe Bryant.

The players found out Bryant had died in a helicopter crash shortly before they took the field.

So when Green Bay Packers star Za’Darius Smith got a sack, he and some of his fellow defensive players mimicked Bryant’s trademark jab-step and jumper.

Well, as much as 275-pound guys in helmets, cleats and shoulder pads can.

#Packers Za’Darius Smith gets a sack in today’s Pro Bowl and rounds up some NFC teammates for a celebration to honor Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/rQiA7sgodr

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 26, 2020

Smith had both of the NFC’s sacks on the day.

A little too real

How did you find out that Bryant had died? What was your immediate reaction? Stunned disbelief?

Like Tiger Woods?

CBS cameras caught the moment when Woods’ caddie Joe LaCava told him the news. Woods’ genuine, real-time reaction seems to sum up how most of us felt when we found out.

Tiger Woods hearing about the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/xDI4zEPR3T

— ⚡️??????⚡️ (@TheNbaDunk) January 27, 2020

Woods and Bryant knew each other for years.

Tiger Woods and other tour pros mourn Kobe Bryant after hearing of his shocking death: https://t.co/KQu6wu5Nyq pic.twitter.com/1ivthOXQMz

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) January 27, 2020

LaCava told the New York Post, “I thought it would be better off not telling (Woods).

“I didn’t think he’d be to the point where he couldn’t play golf, but I figured I’d wait to the end. It was too much of a distraction. I waited until we got into the tunnel on 18 [after his round was complete] to tell him, because I didn’t want the cameras on him and see the shock on his face.’’

It was picked up anyway, as you can see.

Woods said he heard fans making references to Bryant, but he didn’t know what they were talking about.

“I didn’t understand why they were yelling, ‘Do it for Mamba’ on the back nine, [but] people yell things all the time, so I was just plodding along, doing my own thing,’’ Woods said. “Then when Joey told me … it’s unbelievable, the reality that he’s no longer here.”

Well played

NBA players did what they could to honor Bryant during games.

In San Antonio, the Spurs and Toronto Raptors each rolled down the 24-second shot clock in honor of Bryant and his #24.

Both the @Raptors and the @spurs ran out the 24-second shot clock on their first possession of the game in honour of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/JhD8XVUGFo

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 26, 2020

The Atlanta Hawks took an eight-second backcourt violation because he also wore #8 during his career.

The @ATLHawks opened tonight's game with an 8-second backcourt violation and the @WashWizards took a 24-second shot clock violation to honor the two numbers Kobe Bryant wore during his NBA career. pic.twitter.com/aaiEz1Y0Yf

— FOX Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnFSSE) January 26, 2020

The Warriors followed it with a 24-second violation of their own.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.