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It’s never easy to follow up a successful older sibling, but T.J. Watt has two of them to contend with.
The Steelers defensive end and five-time All Pro is the youngest in a family that includes NFL legend J.J. Watt and NFL draft pick Derek Watt. It’s safe to say Thanksgiving day games in the backyard in Pewaukee, Wisconsin were intense. The brothers, however, appear to be the best of friends as adults.
T.J. couldn’t have been the 30th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft without the help of dedicated parents, who raised all of the Watt brothers with an incredible work ethic. His dad, John, and mom, Connie, have made plenty of appearances at their sons’ games at Wisconsin and in the NFL.
T.J. has expanded his own family in recent years, marrying his college sweetheart in 2022 and welcoming his first child in 2025. He has their support both on and off the gridiron.
Here’s a look at T.J. Watt’s family tree.
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T.J. Watt wife: Dani Rhodes
Rhodes went on to have a professional soccer career, spending the 2020 season with the Chicago Red Stars before signing with Iceland club Thróttur Reykjavík the following year. She retired from soccer in February 2023 and shared a heartfelt post on Instagram.
Before they were sisters-in-law, Rhodes played for the Red Stars with Kealia Ohai, who is married to T.J.’s older brother, J.J. Watt.
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T.J. Watt daughter: Blakely Marie
In March 2025, Watt and Rhodes welcomed their first child, a daughter named Blakely Marie. The couple shared a carousel of pictures on Instagram, with J.J. Watt commenting to welcome his new niece to the world.
T.J.’s former Steelers teammate Russell Wilson and Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby were among other NFL players to offer congratulations and well wishes.
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T.J. Watt brother: J.J. Watt
T.J. Watt’s oldest brother is J.J. Watt, the five-time All Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the Year (he’s one of only three players to win the award three times).
J.J. spent the first 10 years of his NFL career with the Texans before two seasons with the Cardinals. He retired from the NFL after the 2022 season and is now a studio analyst for CBS. He’ll be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028.
When T.J. was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, J.J. was the presenter who called his brother’s name. The two embraced on stage, as sacking quarterbacks and winning awards runs in the Watt family.
From one DPOY to another.
From one brother to another.What a moment for @JJWatt & @_TJWatt
📺: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/h9ye6Y8gi6
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022
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T.J. Watt brother: Derek Watt
T.J. Watt’s second oldest brother is Derek Watt, the middle child in the family. The fullback was drafted by the Chargers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and then teamed up with T.J. on the Steelers in 2019, where he spent the final three years of his career.
All of the Watt brothers played at Wisconsin, where J.J. and T.J. both finished their careers with 11.5 sacks. In 2020, all three brothers played in the same NFL game when Derek and T.J. of the Steelers faced off with J.J. of the Texans. Pittsburgh won the game, 28-21.
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T.J. Watt dad: John Watt
Watt’s dad, John, was a firefighter in the Pewaukee Fire Department for more than 25 years. He coached all three of his sons in sports when they were growing up.
“My saying has always been, ‘I don’t expect you to be perfect, But I always expect you to try to be perfect,’” John Watt said a few years ago.
Last month, T.J. wished John a happy Father’s Day on Facebook, thanking him for his strength and guidance and posing for a picture alongside his brothers.
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T.J. Watt mom: Connie Watt
Watt’s mom, Connie, was the vice president of a building inspection company. She later founded and became the vice president of the JJ Watt Foundation, where she now manages the day-to-day operations of the charitable venture.
T.J. Watt credits his mom for being the backbone of the family and supporting him and his brothers through all of their athletic pursuits.
“My mom is literally superwoman,” Watt said in 2017. “No one will ever truly understand what she has done for my two brothers and I. To raise three sons in itself is an accomplishment, but to have three NFL football players, is a whole new level. We would not be here without her love and support, and my dad too, always being there for us.”
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