Wisconsin legend reaches record-breaking NFL milestone in Week 5 vs. Cowboys

Wisconsin legend T.J. Watt seems to rewrite a part of the NFL’s statistical encyclopedia whenever he laces his cleats up.

After strip-sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-17 loss on Sunday Night Football in Week 5, Watt officially became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.

The historical moment arrived on a third-and-six defensive sequence with the Cowboys at the Steelers’ 11-yard line. He and fellow Badger alumnus Nick Herbig converged on Prescott to flip the possession back to Pittsburgh and keep the game knotted at three apiece.

At just a few days under 30, Watt is the second-fastest to reach the mark, behind only Hall of Fame pass-rusher Reggie White. The UW alumnus accomplished the feat in 109 games while White, a 13-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro, reached 100 sacks in 96 games.

Watt finished the Week 5 contest with eight tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He now boasts 4.5 sacks and 20 tackles through five games of the 2024 season.

For a franchise that has employed Joe Greene, Cam Heyward, Jack Lambert, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rod Woodson, Watt may already be the greatest defender in Pittsburgh Steelers history. He owns the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award and has led the NFL in sacks on three separate occasions.

Watt’s Steelers will return to the turf on Sunday, Oct. 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders.