JJ Watt recalls time TJ Watt was nearly killed by pasta in Italy

On Wednesday’s episode of the Pat McAfee Show, former NFL star J.J. Watt shared a harrowing experience he and his brothers, Steelers defender T.J. Watt and Derek Watt, had while on vacation in Rome at the height of his career with the Houston Texans. The story involved T.J., a big bowl of pesto pasta and a severe tree nut allergy.

“We were in Rome one time, my brothers and I did a little European vacation, just the three of us – we’re idiots…” Watt said. “We went to lunch, he knows he has a severe tree nut allergy, I do also, none of us were aware of the fact that pesto is made purely of tree nuts. He ordered a massive pesto pasta dish and literally stopped breathing at the table.”

“We had to get him to the Italian hospital,” Watt continued. “It was one of the scariest experiences of my life because they wouldn’t let me go back with him either. They took him back there when he literally wasn’t breathing and for 45 min to an hour, Derek and I had no idea whether he was going to make it… This was 2014-15ish.”

Considering the edge rusher went on to become a first-round draft pick for the Steelers and is now dominating the league, the youngest Watt brother clearly made a full recovery from his tree nut attack.

“The doctors didn’t speak English, he didn’t speak Italian, so they did kind of an Epipen motion, he said yes, and they said, “Use it!” the former Texans star explained.

Watt matches NFL legend Lawrence Taylor

T.J. Watt joined elite company during Pittsburgh’s Week 7 game against the Rams. According to NFL Research, the Steelers linebacker has now accomplished something only one other player has achieved. That player? Lawrence Taylor.

Per the league’s research team, Watt and Taylor are the only players in NFL history to record at least seven interceptions and 70 sacks in their first seven seasons.

Watt hauled in his seventh career pick in Pittsburgh’s 24-17 win over the Rams. The linebacker has piled up 85.5 career sacks, as well.

Through his first seven years in the NFL, Taylor racked up 83 sacks and eight interceptions. Watt has already surpassed the former Giants star’s sack total and, with games remaining, has an opportunity to exceed the interception total, as well.

In seven games this season, Watt has accounted for 18 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. It’s pretty safe to say that the linebacker is well on his way to a sixth-straight Pro Bowl selection.