Outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named MVP of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2020 in an announcement made Thursday that reflected a vote from the team’s players.
Watt also received the honor last year, making him the first player to be named Steelers MVP in consecutive seasons since James Harrison in 2007-08. Harrison, incidentally, won the NFL’s defensive player of the year award in 2008, an honor Watt is in the running for this season.
Watt leads the NFL with 15 sacks through 15 games, one shy of Harrison’s team-record 16 in 2008.
“I’m very appreciative of my teammates and my coaches of thinking enough of me to vote me team MVP,” Watt said in a video conference call with media Thursday. “It’s a very special honor to me because it’s from my teammates and my peers, people who I’m around on a regular basis, and I’m very fortunate to play alongside these guys and none of this possible without them.”
According to the Steelers, Watt joins his brother J.J. (in 2012, 2014 and 2015) and Penn Hills’ Aaron Donald (2018) as the only NFL players over the past 15 years to have at least 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits in a season.
Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the third consecutive season, Watt is the sixth player in team history to win Steelers MVP in consecutive seasons, joining Harrison, receiver Hines Ward (2002, 2003), linebacker Levon Kirkland (1998, 1999), running back Jerome Bettis (1996, 1997) and quarterback Terry Bradshaw (1977, 1978).
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
