T.J. Watt named Defensive Player of the Year

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt took home the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors event Thursday.

Watt tied Michael Strahan's single-season sack record this year with 22.5. He also notched a league-leading 21 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.

"I feel like I'm just about to be entering the prime of my career and that's why more than ever, I just want to continue to find ways to get better at this game," Watt said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Watt was announced the winner by his brother and three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner J.J. Watt. The Steelers linebacker received 42 of 50 votes from The Associated Press, with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons earning five votes and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald garnering three.

This is Watt's first DPOY award, having placed third in 2019 and as the runner-up to Donald last year.

Watt is the seventh Steelers player to earn the prestigious hardware, joining Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert, Rod Woodson, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu.

Since entering the league in 2017, no player has recorded more sacks (72) or quarterback hits (150) than the Pittsburgh pass-rusher. Watt has hit double-digit sack totals in each of his last four seasons.

Watt also has four Pro Bowl and three first-team All-Pro selections to his name.

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