Steelers news: TJ Watt botched record-breaking sack gets final ruling

TJ Watt's record-tying sack record will stay as it is after the NFL upheld the ruling on a failed sack during the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers‘ appealed one of Watt's supposed sacks in the game that was listed as a forced fumble. It occurred in the first quarter after the veteran outside linebacker hit Ravens QB Tyler Huntley. While it looked like the Pittsburgh star tied Michael Strahan's record at the time and celebrated, the officials ruled it as an “aborted play and fumble.”

Here's a look at the said play:

T.J. Watt was not given a sack on this play 🤨

(via @steelers)pic.twitter.com/vE5IxuDQ83

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 9, 2022

After reviewing the appeal and the sequence of events, however, the NFL confirmed that it is indeed an aborted play and fumble, denying TJ Watt the sack that would have allowed him to tie Michael Strahan's record of 22.5.

Watt needed 1.5 sacks in the game to set a new mark, and he got his lone sack in the second quarter on a first-and-goal play by the Ravens. Had his first one counted, though, it would have been quite the achievement.

Inquiry from Steelers to league on possible TJ Watt sack not counted that was part of an aborted play has been ruled on.

Watt will not be given additional sack. Remains tied with Michael Strahan at 22.5 for the single season record.

Betting public was largely on Watt to break.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 12, 2022

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For what it's worth, the Steelers linebacker had another chance to break the tie. He and Cam Heyward appeared to sack Huntley in the first half as well, but the latter was called for unnecessary roughness and what would have been a “0.5” sack did not count.

Tying the record is a pretty neat achievement by itself, but it is certainly frustrating since Watt has gotten so close. In face, before tying the milestone, he admitted it could be the only chance for him to get close to it.

“I only get one chance at this,” said Watt. “You only get to play for so long. It has consumed a lot of my life and I’m completely OK with that. The people around me truly push me and understand my obsession with this game and wanting to be the best.”