“I tell people my kids never saw a Disney movie, but they had every ball known to mankind in their hands before they were two years old,” is what TJ Watt’s mother, Connie said about her three sons JJ, Derek, and TJ when she was reminded of their childhoods. Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, the boys did it all growing up, thanks to their parents John and Connie Watt.

Growing up, the Watt brothers were more inclined towards playing hockey. Of course, they got it from their parents. In fact, when TJ was born, their parents headed straight to the hockey rink on their way home. “J.J. had a practice so we went straight to the hockey rink to be there for that.” That’s how committed the Watt family is to sports. It just makes us want to know more about John and Connie, who raised three professional football players.

Who are TJ Watt’s parents?

The Steelers LB was born in November 1994 to John and Connie Watt in the humble town of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The boys learned a lot from their father growing up. John did firefighting for at least two decades. But he didn’t limit his role as a parent to just providing for his family. He started coaching his kids when they got into fifth grade. All he wanted for his kids was for them to strive to be perfect.

“My saying has always been, ‘I don’t expect you to be perfect, But I always expect you to try to be perfect,’” John mentioned a few years ago. His father would work for 24 hours straight sometimes, but was also very hands-on with family activities. In fact, his family made it a point to let the boys do the chores so they could grow up knowing what accountability means.

Watt’s mother on the other hand was the VP of a building inspection company. Later, she took over the JJ Watt Foundation, where she managed day-to-day operations with the help of volunteers. Being a football player is a risky business and TJ Watt holds her in high regard because of everything she’s done for the family and the boys.

“My mom is literally superwoman,” said T.J. “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. We have been through our share of ups and downs, with injuries and all, they have always been there and been the backbone of this family.”

The family might have their own ups and downs even to this day. Who doesn’t? But the brothers are doing fairly well now that they’ve made a name for themselves. They even started families and have kids. These days, the Watt family can be seen on television and they did something special for the holiday season.

The Watt family makes Christmas shopping fun

Alright. You might know what we’re talking about here. The Watt collective did a commercial for Dick’s Sporting Goods recently and it might get you in touch with your long-lost inner child. Remember heading to the store to buy Christmas presents with your parents? It might have been a long time for some of you. But the Watt family is here to rekindle that memory.

Dick’s Sporting Goods took to IG and shared their latest commercial starring the Watt family. “And, action! 🍿🎥 It’s a gifting season and the Watt family is here to show us how it’s done. Grab your popcorn and settle in for a new take on your favorite holiday classics…” is what the caption of the IG post read. The scene shows the Watt family grabbing presents in the store as it is about to close.

Like a kid in a toy store, TJ Watt gets enamored with the things around him. And he doesn’t even notice that his family left without him. Even Mama Watt doesn’t notice that her youngest son is missing. She stops the car and heads back to the store only to realize that TJ didn’t even notice they were gone. TJ was having the best night of his life while he was left alone in the store.

It really felt like a scene from Ben Stiller’s movie, “Night at the Museum.” At the end of the commercial, he finds a wire lying on the ground and plugs it in and the whole store lights up like a Christmas tree. It looked mesmerizing.

The Watt family has come a long way. From their father coaching them as children, to going to college to play football to making a name for themselves in the NFL. They eventually became household names in the country. They’ve seen it all, truly.