Despite what Le’Veon Bell might have to say, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t outwardly appear to have any issues with their players exploring their entrepreneurial ambitions during their playing career, provided that it doesn’t conflict with their ability to do their jobs.
After all, how many garbage songs did he release during his time playing for the Steelers? But I digress.
The latest player taking the opportunity to expand his personal and professional portfolio this offseason is third-year outside linebacker, and 2018 Pro Bowler, T.J. Watt, who as we’ve already relayed is teaming up with his brothers to host a new game show that will air early next year.
Dubbed ‘Ultimate Tag’, the name of the show pretty much gives it away. Watt says that the ‘taggers’ will be “crazy athletes who can jump super high, run really fast, and get over obstacles really quickly”. And the contestants have to avoid them for as long as possible.
Meanwhile, T.J. will be bantering back and forth with his older brothers, J.J. and Derek Watt, of the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers, respectively. The show was already filmed, earlier this offseason, over a grueling two-week period in Los Angeles with no days off.
Derek of course lives in the area, but T.J. and J.J. lived together during that time, and he reflected on the opportunity to do that, now that they live half a country away.
“It was really special to spend that much time together. We don’t usually get a two-week block to be able to train in the morning and live together”, he said. “I was living with J.J. And then work on the set for that many hours. We spent a lot of time together. I wouldn’t want to do that with anyone but those two guys”.
Not necessarily known for being a cut-up, T.J. carries a fairly serious demeanor around with him wherever he goes, somewhat in contrast to his older brothers, so he said that he appreciated the experience of working with them and getting him to open up more.
“It’s a crazy experience being in front of cameras like that and really opening up”, he admitted. “I think that was the hardest thing for me. J.J. is a natural at that and Derek is pretty good. Having them, all the jabs, and loosening me up in front of the camera was good. We got to show our personality and who we are as brothers”.
Is this going to do anything to make him a better football player on the field? No, not really. But it was a great opportunity for him, both personally and professionally. Athletes have lives outside of work just like we all do. They also have families. So it’s good to see that they all got to share this experience together.
And they won’t be running around trying to tag people or avoid being tagged themselves, so it’s all good.
