Remember after the 2011 season QB Peyton Manning was looking for a new home and Houston was at the top of the list for a place to call home.
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Watt, who also won the award in 2012 and 2014, joins former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor as the only consecutive winners and as the only players to win the award three times since its inception in 1971.
For Watt, this award caps yet another stellar campaign in his record-breaking career.
Watt spoke after being named the Top Defensive Player of the Year saying, “I was a 2-star recruit…going into college, and now I have three Defensive Player of the Year trophies, so (take that) all you guys who doubted me”.
While Watt didn’t have the same season he had a year ago when he was catching touchdown passes and earning NFL MVP votes in addition to NFL Defensive Player of the Year Honors, his 2015 output was once again full of staggering numbers. He was a dominant force in 2015, leading the league with 17½ sacks.
Even with a broken hand and a groin injury late in the season, Watt remained among the NFL’s elite.
Watt lead the league in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (29) helping lead the Houston Texans to a 9-7 record and an AFC South title.
It came as a unanimous selection for the former University of Wisconsin standout, just like it did previous year.
But despite the postseason dud, Watt has been one of the NFL’s most consistent and productive defenders. With his third award, Watt now is tied with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, who is the only other player to receive the award three times.
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The award was presented Saturday night during NFL Honors.
