Watt Brothers Make the Wheaties Box

“We hope this box is a reminder for athletes and people everywhere to persevere — on the field and in life — and always champion what you’re passionate about.”

Cereal-loving Badgers might do a double-take the next time they reach for their Wheaties. J. J. Watt x’12 and T. J. Watt x’17 grace the front of the box, and brother Derek Watt ’15 joins them in a photo on the back.

J. J. was a defensive end for the Houston Texans and then the Arizona Cardinals before retiring in 2022, and T. J. is a linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Derek, who was a free agent at press time, was a fullback with the same team. J. J., a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who has been described as one of the greatest defensive players of all time, is now an NFL analyst with CBS.

“It is a childhood dream come true to be on the next Wheaties box,” J. J. and T. J. said in a press release. “We hope this box is a reminder for athletes and people everywhere to persevere — on the field and in life — and always champion what you’re passionate about.”

Wheaties, which highlights athletes who are making a difference outside their athletic careers, donated $100,000 to the Justin J. Watt Foundation, which provides after-school athletic activities for kids.

J. J. and T. J. have also been involved in charitable endeavors such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and aiding victims of Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters. They are the first brothers to be featured on the Wheaties box and the first duo since 1934.

Published in the Winter 2023 issue