From Wisconsin Badgers standout to NFL fullback and Lowman Trophy winner
In short: Derek Watt’s football journey took him from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the professional ranks of the NFL. A versatile fullback and special teams contributor, he navigated high-stakes games for the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers before announcing his retirement in early 2024.
Derek John Watt, born on November 7, 1992, carved out a professional career defined by versatility. After playing college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2011 to 2015, he entered the NFL via the 2016 draft. Selected in the sixth round as the 198th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers, Watt was highly regarded by Pro Football Focus, which rated him as the second-best fullback in that draft class and gave him the second-best blocking grade among fullbacks.
His tenure with the Chargers lasted from 2016 to 2019, during which he appeared in all 16 games of the 2019 season. In March 2020, he signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move reunited him with his younger brother, T. J., who played as an outside linebacker. During his time with the Steelers, Watt contributed to various facets of the game, including a notable blocked punt that resulted in a safety against the Denver Broncos in Week 2.
Beyond his physical play, Watt achieved recognition through the Lowman Trophy in 2019, an award for the nation's best college fullback presented by the Barstool Sports podcast, Pardon My Take. His career concluded when he announced his retirement via Instagram on March 12, 2024. Off the field, Watt has focused on his family, including his wife, Gabriella Justin, and their three children: Logan James, Brayden George, and Isabella Grace.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Derek Watt
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-derek-watt.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Clothing and fashion · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
