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‘Let me break this down’: J.J. Watt embraced embarrassing on-air moment, thanked Patriots fans
"All the fans in New England were very kind and hospitable yesterday, I really enjoyed interacting and taking in a picture perfect fall football day in the northeast."
J.J. Watt owned a tough moment during Patriots-Steelers broadcast: Former defensive end J.J. Watt is in his first season as an announcer for CBS’ NFL game coverage, partnering alongside Ian Eagle.
Watt and Eagle had the call for Sunday’s Week 3 matchup between the Patriots and Steelers. Aside from their retro looks — a nod to the 50th anniversary of “The NFL Today” on CBS — the duo drew positive reviews for providing a balance of banter and insight.
After the game, one viewer pointed out on social media that it appeared Watt had encountered a slight wardrobe malfunction mid game. He had, in fact, split his pants.
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Watt, acknowledging the development in a postgame message on social media, said that he “assumed someone might catch it, so let me break this down.”
“As we sat down for our halftime hit (only time you really see our pants) I noticed this issue on the monitor,” he wrote. “I am not sure exactly when it happened, but I have narrowed it down to most likely happening when I pulled a sudden movement to avoid hitting my head on a low hanging pipe in the booth (this particular booth had a very low ceiling).”
Watt was given a football to hold to try and block the view, but joked about how the strategy quickly failed.
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“Of course we go live on air and instead of holding the football still, I immediately start talking with my hands, exposing the pants,” he said.
Keeping things in perspective, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year said it amounted to a “good laugh” after the fact.
“I appreciate the kind words about the game, that really does mean a lot to me,” he said in response to the original post, “and I’m glad that we will never be too old to have a good laugh about some split pants.”
Watt was coincidentally on-hand to see his brother, T.J. (a defensive end for Pittsburgh), record two sacks and recover a fumble — a play which Watt narrated with reflexive enthusiasm — in the Steelers’ eventual 21-14 win.
Still, he left Patriots fans with some hopeful words about what he saw from New England. He also said he appreciated the autumn atmosphere of a football game at Gillette Stadium.
“You guys have something there in Drake Maye, it was just a really really tough day on the turnover front,” Watt said. “All the fans in New England were very kind and hospitable yesterday, I really enjoyed interacting and taking in a picture perfect fall football day in the northeast.”
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Watt closed by humorously adding that he’s “On to Washington-Atlanta next week with a fresh pair of pants!”
Trivia: J.J. Watt recorded at least half a sack against every NFL team in his accomplished career with three exceptions: The Texans (his former team, whom he only played once as a member of the Cardinals), the Patriots, and what third team?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: This team, one of the NFL’s oldest, was originally known as the Decatur Staleys.
Scores and schedules:
Tonight, the Red Sox begin a pivotal three-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. Boston is currently slotted in as the second American League wild-card team, leading both the Guardians and Astros by one game.
Looking ahead, the Patriots face the Panthers at home on Sunday at 1 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Red Sox in the hunt for a playoff spot in what is shaping up to be a wild final week of the season
- Mike Vrabel on Patriots turnovers, a failed fourth down play, and what he said to Julian Edelman
- Scott Pioli has a candid take on Rhamondre Stevenson’s future with Patriots
- Former Patriots draft bust is emerging as top weapon for Patrick Mahomes
- Here are a few possible reasons why the Patriots are showing Rhamondre Stevenson such patience
- Tom Brady throws jab about Bill Belichick’s coaching style during TV broadcast
- NBA assistant believes Celtics will have NBA’s best player in 2030
- David Pastrnak returns to Bruins practice and other takeaways from training camp
- Jaylen Brown honors Bill Nye at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
- Drake Maye talks Efton Chism, Roman Anthony, and more on WEEI
- ‘They should be 3-0′: ESPN analysts discussed Patriots’ underwhelming early season results
- Longtime Patriots coach and executive Bobby Grier dies at 82
Patriots analysis: ESPN’s Mike Reiss shared some nuanced thoughts on Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson, and the 1-2 Patriots.
On this day: While Sept. 23 is more prominently known as the anniversary of the famous Mo Lewis hit on Drew Bledsoe — a jarring moment late in a 10-3 loss to the Jets in 2001 that inadvertently launched the career of Tom Brady — it is also the day that New England fans chose to keep Pat Patriot with the vote of their collective voices.
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At halftime of a 1979 matchup with Dan Fouts and the Chargers, Patriots fans were asked to do a simple task: Boo or cheer for one of two logos. Having not-so-subtly sought an updated logo to the famous Pat Patriot for years, team owner Billy Sullivan finally decided to let the fans choose. It turned out to be no contest.
“It wasn’t even necessary to count the votes,” noted the Globe’s Michael Madden. The fans roared their approval of status quo, and Pat Patriot endured.
Daily highlight: This hit won not only the game for the Padres, but clinched a postseason spot.
Trivia answer: Chicago Bears
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