Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was fined for doing his job.
The NFL slapped Watt on the wrist — in the form of a $10,815 fine — for unnecessary roughness, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
The penalty occurred in the third quarter of the Steelers Sunday Night Football overtime win versus Seattle Seahawks.
Punching the ball out is part of every defender’s game; it’s in their blood. Watt has forced 20 fumbles in his young career.
“I punch every week,” Watt told Steelers media after the game. “If you watch the film, it’s nothing malicious. I didn’t intend to punch him in the face or on the arm at all. I am striking at the football. I just told him it’s something that I do on a regular basis. It’s not something where I’m trying to affect the player in any way. I’m just trying to get the football out.”
#Steelers OLB T.J. Watt was fined $10,815 for unnecessary roughness – punching at the ball in an attempt to strip #Seahawks RB Alex Collins last Sunday night.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2021
T.J. Watt was trying to punch the ball out of Alex Collins’ hands and was actually punching Alex Collins. Watt was appropriately flagged. pic.twitter.com/GtQby3qCIg
— T-BILL (@tbillnw95) October 18, 2021
