Steelers' T.J. Watt cleared to play vs. Packers in return home to Wisconsin

Like most boys who grew up in Wisconsin, T.J. Watt was a Green Bay Packers fan growing up. So perhaps it’s not surprising that he was a fan of the Packer who won the NFL’s MVP award each of the first three years Watt was alive.

“I think I was Brett Favre four or five times for Halloween,” Watt said Friday, referencing the Packers’ Hall of Fame quarterback. “That’s kind of how it was in our family.”

Sunday, the Watt family will put aside their cheese heads for a pilgrimage to Lambeau Field. This time, they’ll be pulling for the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom Watt stars.

Watt will play, too, after he had sat out the previous 1 ½ games because of a groin injury.

“I feel really good about where my body’s at and where I’m at going into the game,” Watt said.

TJ Watt says he fully practiced and “feels really good” about playing Sunday in Green Bay pic.twitter.com/UwiiYmCqGR

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 1, 2021

Fresh off signing a nine-figure contract with $80 million in guarantees early last month, Watt had three sacks, a forced fumble and six QB hits over the three quarters he has played this season. During last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals without Watt, the Steelers managed no sacks and no QB hits.

His return is special for the Steelers, but returning to his native state to play the team he grew up rooting for is special for Watt. He grew up about two hours south of Green Bay in Pawaukee, Wis.

“Obviously, Green Bay is very, very big back home,” Watt said. “Being able to play in a historic venue like Lambeau is something special.”

TJ Watt on playing back home at the Packers

He said his Halloween costume as a kid 4 or 5 times was Brett Favre pic.twitter.com/DBnJ8ofku1

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 1, 2021

Watt recalled memories of watching Packers games on television with his late grandfather. He remembered going to games with friends (one sent him a photo from seats above the tunnel to the Packers’ locker room), who tried to catch the gloves players would toss up after games.

Watt even remembers playing at Lambeau in college. (He was not in uniform for a Steelers’ preseason game there in 2018.)

“I’m going to have a lot of family and friends there for the game,” Watt said. “It’s going to be a really special moment.”

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