It Took T.J. Watt Nine Years To Meet A Pittsburgh Steelers Legend
T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ strong defensive showing against the Indianapolis Colts surely made Dick LeBeau proud. The game also marked their first meeting in person.
LeBeau returned to Pittsburgh as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the 2005 Super Bowl XL winning team, providing the opportunity for the two to finally introduce themselves.
“It took nine years, but I’m glad. I mean, obviously he’s a busy guy, but to be able to meet the legend himself was very surreal,” Watt said in a weekly interview with WMBS’ George Von Benko.
LeBeau was one of several Steelers attending the Week 10 game and was honored during halftime. Other notable former players present included quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Jerome Bettis, and defensive lineman Aaron Smith.
As coach and player, LeBeau and Watt missed each other by several seasons. LeBeau’s final year with Pittsburgh was in 2014, while Watt entered the NFL in 2017. That last coaching year for LeBeau was with the Tennessee Titans as their defensive coordinator.
Despite Pittsburgh and Tennessee facing each other in 2017—with Watt recording two tackles in a 40-17 Steelers win—the two did not connect after the game.
“Anytime those guys come back, it’s awesome. And to be recognized for their Super Bowl is awesome. To just see all those guys back in town and see how tight-knit they are,” Watt added.
This moment bridged nearly a decade of missed chances, highlighting the mutual respect between two generations of Steelers defensive greats.
Author’s summary: T.J. Watt finally met Steelers legend Dick LeBeau at a 20th-anniversary event, bridging a nine-year gap between them and honoring their shared connection to Pittsburgh football history.
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