Mark Madden says TJ Watt angrily declined his exit interview, Steeler’s linebacker refutes the story
During his radio show 105.9 The X on Monday, TribLive columnist Mark Madden said he learned that Steeler’s all-pro TJ Watt had refused to attend his exit interview with the team. They were held with players in the days after the club lost their playoff game to the Cleveland Browns 48-37 on January 10.
“I was told that TJ Watt refused to attend his exit interview,” Madden said to open the program. “That he was angry about something. That he just said, ‘Send my things to Wisconsin. I’m out of here. ‘”
Madden pointed out that these interviews were conducted online. It is therefore unclear how the linebacker conveyed this message. There is the source of Watt’s alleged anger.
“I have no idea what Watt was crazy about,” Madden continued. “The loss (to the Browns). The culture. He didn’t get a sack or quarterback against Cleveland. But TJ Watt declined his exit interview. I know that.
“He’s an old school guy. And the Steelers are anything but old school at this point. “
If that’s true, it wouldn’t be the first time Watt has been angry with the coaching team. He had some heated words with Keith Butler during the team’s game in Baltimore on November 1st.
However, a few hours after Madden’s show, Watt denied the claim.
Would like to hear who Mark’s sources are. You certainly can’t be myself, Coach T, Kevin Colbert, or Coach Butler. Everyone I met during the Exit interviews before packing my own things after a highly competitive season to give all I have for the city of Pittsburgh. https://t.co/wqJsGObYp7
– TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) January 26, 2021
His brother, Steeler’s full-back Derek Watt, got involved in the social media battle.
https://t.co/RcTT1jQjKH pic.twitter.com/gzimXjVmme
– Derek Watt (@ DerekWatt34) January 26, 2021
So did her older brother, Houston Texans attorney, JJ Watt.
“Mark” you now … pic.twitter.com/2MFQt82qNV
– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2021
But Madden responded to TJ Watt’s rejection of the events.
Not what I hear. I absolutely stand by my report. https://t.co/99KPofpG7P
– Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
Just double checked with my source. The story is “100% true”.
– Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
People constantly deny true stories, especially those that do not flatter them. “100% true.”
– Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
If you get something “confidential”, it remains confidential. I won’t reveal anything. That is media ethics 101. & to quote Lenin: “cui bono?”
– Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
Following the report on Watts, Madden was also told that if Colbert decides to leave the post, it has alerted Vice President of Football and Corporate Administration Omar Khan that he will not succeed Steeler’s general manager Kevin Colbert. But the job would stay “in the house” and be given to someone else.
Madden went on to say that Khan was “not happy” with the news. I suspect Pro-HR Coordinator Brandon Hunt is the candidate currently on the staff.
Neither Khan, Colbert, Hunt, nor any of the Watt brothers tweeted about this corner of the story.
Much to all of our collective disappointment.
Madden said he would be “very open” about the situation during his program on Tuesday.
Tim Benz is a contributor to Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or on Twitter. All tweets could be republished. All emails can be published unless otherwise stated.
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