Sports media personality and former Indianapolis Colts player Pat McAfee has a nomination for the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End TJ Watt.
McAfee said he would donate $500,000 to the charity of his choice if the stud edge rusher breaks the record for most sacks in a single season in NFL history.
It's a record Watt is all too familiar with; He co-owns New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan with 22.5 sacks in a season.
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Pittsburgh linebacker TJ Watt, #90, celebrates after a sack in the first quarter during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens National Football League game at M&T Bank Stadium January 9, 2022 in Baltimore. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After leading the NFL with 15 sacks in 2020, Watt not only followed suit in 2021 — he completely broke the record.
The overall record was taken seriously this season as Watt continued to bring quarterbacks onto the turf. When he totaled four sacks against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, everyone was excited to see what he would do against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Of course, taking down quarterback Lamar Jackson is extremely difficult, but Watt was able to secure a sack in Week 17 to break the record. However, that was all he would get since the Steelers would win the game 16-13.
Pat McAfee attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's “Quarterback” at the TUDUM Theater on July 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Today, Watt anticipates a big recovery season in 2023, as an injury-heavy season last year resulted in just 5.5 sacks in 10 games.
The Steelers and Watt have noticed he looked happy and healthy in training camp this summer, and Watt now has even more incentive to break out again when it's his turn to overrun the passer this season.
The younger brother of now-retired legendary defensive end JJ Watt, Watt is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro in his six seasons with the Steelers.
Sports media personality Pat McAfee (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end TJ Watt. (Getty Images)
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He has a career-high 77.5 sacks, which ranks him 84th on the NFL all-time list.
