T.J. Watt is named AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
Pittsburgh — T.J. Watt, an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, earned his third AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award from the ‘Committee of 101.’ Watt has received the NFL 101 Award for the third time in four years. Watt led the league with 19 sacks, his second-highest total of his career, while also recording 68 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight passes defended, an interception, and a score. Watt, along with Alan Paige (three), Reggie White (three), Ray Lewis (three), Bruce Smith (three), Aaron Donald (four), and J.J. Watt (f
He is the seventh Steelers player to win the award, following Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert, Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Carnell Lake, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu. A nationwide selection committee comprised of 101 NFL-related media people selects the award. Watt’s DPOY accolade adds to his First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl choices. His teammates also elected him the Steelers’ MVP this season.
our), are the only players who have won the award three times.
