With J.J. Watt officially retired from the NFL, he has more time to follow the exploits of his younger brother T.J., the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive talisman. That also means he might likely be more vocal about his opinions on penalties that, unfortunately, go against his sibling.
Early on during the Steelers’ Thursday night matchup against the Tennessee Titans, T.J. Watt unloaded on Tennessee starting quarterback Will Levis with a perfect picture form tackle. Except according to the officials on hand, it was roughing the passer by virtue of Watt using his body weight on Levis.
This was such a call that will almost always look silly in the context of pro football:
TJ Watt was called for roughing the passer on Will Levis.
Thoughts? 🤔pic.twitter.com/E1UfcF0YZf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 3, 2023
Naturally, J.J. was in attendance and was closely watching play. He did not remotely agree with the penalty on T.J.:
Roughing the passer calls are out of control.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 3, 2023
It’s hard to disagree with J.J. about this questionable call. It’s also unsurprising watching him stump for his brother as he dominates the line of scrimmage.
This was how Twitter reacted
CC: @NFLOfficiating https://t.co/7uuj82l2U6
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 3, 2023
Say it for the people in the back!
NFL officials =the people in the back https://t.co/w3NXMrgfqC— julianna koz (@juliannakoz) November 3, 2023
I haven’t seen a passer actually been roughed in a game in at least 5 years https://t.co/FE1jpbL4GH
— Zachary Stamper (@ZackStamper15) November 3, 2023
This was called roughing the passer on TJ Watt.
At this point just make it two-hand touch.
It’s an impossible job if you’re a defensive end. pic.twitter.com/yWpkfisKUZ
— Savage (@SavageSports_) November 3, 2023
TJ Watt called for roughing on another questionable call…
— Steel Curtain Network (@SteelCNetwork) November 3, 2023
TJ Watt with a roughing the passer…shocking
— Shanoy (@SupermanA2K) November 3, 2023
I honestly have no idea. I’ve seen hits harder than this not flagged and softer hits called https://t.co/JOXZpqVUvm
— John Lucha III (@JLuchaIII) November 3, 2023
Unfortunately it’s true https://t.co/V4KbsdAxDW
— Nathan Packard (@N8theshooter) November 3, 2023
https://t.co/n7Qmve9HYJ pic.twitter.com/5DKM0zcA5S
— OH WOW!!! (@JusMeeka_) November 3, 2023