TJ Watt didn’t wait long to answer for not being named Defense Player of the Year. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro external linebacker posted the famous Jordan meme of “The Last Dance” on Twitter after Aaron Donald took home his third prize DOPY.
Donald joins the Texans to overtake rusher JJ Watt as a DPOY winner three times. Speaking of JJ, TJ’s older brother defended his brother about why he should have won the award.
“Aaron Donald is an absolutely incredible player. I love watching him play and he’s going to the Hall of Fame without question,” JJ wrote via Twitter. “This has nothing to do with AD personally. This is me saying what my brother will not say. TJ played one game less and STILL led the NFL in all the major categories.”
Both players deserved the prize. An All-Pro for the sixth consecutive year in 2020, Donald recorded 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 14 loss tackles. Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks in 2020. He also led the NFL with 23 tackles to defeat. One of the most versatile external linebackers in football, Watt also recorded an interception by interrupting seven passes.
Although he did not win the DPOY, Watt received the Deacon Jones award, in honor of the Rams’ Hall of Fame pass rusher. The award goes annually to the NFL sack leader.