In a league built on fierce rivalries and relentless competition, sometimes the most powerful moments come not between the whistles, but in the quiet gestures of respect that transcend team colors. That’s exactly what we saw this week, as Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett extended a heartfelt message to Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt, who is recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.
Watt, one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, was recently released from the hospital after undergoing the procedure. And while Steelers vs. Browns is one of the most storied and hard-hitting rivalries in football, Garrett took a moment to remind us that the game is bigger than the scoreboard.
"I reached out to him. I don't have his number or anything, but I reached out to him to see if he's alright," Garrett told reporters Friday.
"I'm hoping for the best. At the end of the day, our teams may be rivals and they might create a rivalry between us, but he's not my enemy.
I'm hoping for the best for him and his health. I'm hoping he comes back soon.
… I'm praying for the best for the Watt family."
That’s not just lip service. It’s a genuine show of humanity from one elite competitor to another.
Garrett and Watt have been locked in a quiet arms race for years - both former first-round picks, both perennial All-Pros, and both the kind of game-wrecking edge defenders that offensive coordinators lose sleep over. Their battles have gone beyond the AFC North, spilling into debates about who’s the best defensive player in the league. But as Garrett made clear, that rivalry lives only between the lines.
What makes this moment resonate is how it cuts through the noise. In a sport where toughness is currency and pride runs deep, Garrett’s words serve as a powerful reminder that these players are more than just jerseys and stat lines. They’re people - and in moments like this, the brotherhood of the NFL shows its truest form.
Watt’s injury is no small matter. A partially collapsed lung is a serious setback, especially for a player whose game is built on explosiveness and endurance. But the hope is that he’ll make a full recovery and return to doing what he does best: terrorizing quarterbacks and anchoring one of the league’s most respected defenses.
Until then, gestures like Garrett’s help keep the game grounded. They remind us that while rivalries fuel the fire, respect is what holds the league together. And when one of the game’s best goes down, even his fiercest competitor can be his loudest supporter.
Here’s to a full and speedy recovery for T.J. Watt - and a tip of the cap to Myles Garrett for showing us what real sportsmanship looks like.