BEREA, Ohio — Myles Garrett admitted Tuesday that he didn’t appreciate T.J. Watt disrespecting his NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in February, and noted what he’d like from him on Thursday night when the Steelers come to town for a prime-time clash.
Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, stayed away from the NFL Honors Show Feb. 8 in Las Vegas in apparent protest of not winning, and posted on X, “nothing I’m not used to.”
“I’ve never complained about the trophy not being at my house and vice versa,” Garrett said during his weekly media availability. “He shouldn’t be feeling two ways about knowing it’s going to me. So just going to play the game. I don’t play against T.J., he doesn’t play against me. We’ll have a plan to go out and do what we’re supposed to, win the game and dominate on defense. It’s up for grabs this year, and we’ll see the best man win.”
Garrett said he never heard from Watt after his reaction went viral, but he’s hoping that changes on Thursday night.
“No, he didn’t say nothing to me,” he said. “He’s going to have to apologize when I see him.”
Does this change the way Garrett feels about Watt, whom he’s respected over the years.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say we’re friends,” Garrett said. “I would say we’re friendly and have a respect for him and his brother (J.J. Watt). They’ve both been great figures and advocates for this game. It doesn’t really change anything, but we’ll see what happens on Thursday.”
He admitted that sharing the field with Watt is extra motivation.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Two of the very best in the same division, play each other twice a year. Fans hate each other. That kind of stuff gets you excited. I know we both feel it and get a little bit juiced up for the match up.”
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