PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – NFL players like so many of us are comfortable with a routine. A plan to start the day that gets you off on the right foot. Changing the starting time for work by seven and a half hours really affects this.
Even for guys who have been in the league a few years like TJ Watt.
“It’s always kind of an obstacle to climb over,” Watt said Friday. “When you get the one o’clock games, you get in such a routine of waking up, eating breakfast and going over to the stadium.”
Now it’s a matter of waiting. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch told the Fan Morning Show he would watch various other games before a Sunday night matchup and it was actually worse on Monday. He said there was nothing to watch, so he ended up binging soap operas.
Watt said a nap could be in the offing for Sunday afternoon, but then you worry about how long to sleep. The 27-year-old outside linebacker also has food concerns.
“It’s always challenging if you can eat lunch,” Watt said. “What you eat for dinner? To make sure that you don’t have a stomach ache for a Sunday night game.”
Avoid beans would likely be good advice.
Watt said most players are superstitious, but say they aren’t. They are concerned about doing all the same steps before a game. When asked what his superstitions are, Watt laughed and said.
“I’m not superstitious.”
Watt loves the way the Steelers crowd responds for prime-time games.
“I’m super-excited for Heinz Field,” Watt said. “It was pretty rocking and rolling the last time we played there for a nighttime atmosphere. I’m sure the beers will be flowing a little bit more throughout the day and the place will be absolutely nuts.”
“The fans help so much for us pass rushers & as a defense. The louder they are. They better we are going to play.”
Watt informed during his media gathering there would be fireworks pregame this week.
“Nice,” Watt said. “I will have to get out there for pregame and get myself a seat for the show.”
Watt normally puts on a show himself at night. He has 9.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and an interception playing at night.
A win gets the Steelers back to .500 with the bye week following. Quite an opportunity against Seattle, if the Steelers can overcome the obstacles.