Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt looks forward to playing in the first NFL regular season game in Ireland on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. With the Rooneys deep ties in Ireland, it’s an honor for Watt to represent the franchise.
“I’m really excited,” Watt said on Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “Obviously, the Rooney family is huge over there, and the ambassadorship (that the late Dan Rooney held) is incredible. I’m just looking forward to seeing the fans over there and spreading the game. It’s gonna be fun.”
The Steelers are leaving for Dublin after Thursday’s practice.
“I’m trying to get as much rest as possible,” Watt said. “Hopefully, I can sleep on the flight over there and just try to enjoy the culture and try to soak it up as much as possible because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
It’s not Watt’s first trip to the Emerald Isle, however.
“I mean, I’ve (already) been to Dublin. I think it was in, like, 2015,” Watt said. “So I got all my fun out of the way there. So I can just be business a little more this time.”
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated spoke with Watt following the Steelers’ win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Watt explained that head coach Mike Tomlin hid the team’s travel schedule for the upcoming days to keep the team locked in on the Patriots.
“In an effort to keep the players’ focus where it needed to be, Watt said that Tomlin kept the schedule for the trip away from them the past couple of weeks,” Breer wrote. “As such, the 31-year-old joked that his goal now is “first and foremost, learning the schedule.” After that, there’ll be plenty left to address.”
Steelers president Art Rooney II had strongly advocated for a game in Ireland on multiple occasions.
“The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there but because it allows us to connect with Irish fans while also giving fans who travel from Pittsburgh and beyond a unique football experience,” Rooney said in a press release in May. “We are thrilled to be part of this historic event and to represent Pittsburgh on a global stage.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: T.J. Watt Looks Forward to Historic Game vs. Vikings in Ireland: ‘I’m Really Excited’
