T.J. Watt Quietly Erases Student Loan Debt for Entire Wisconsin Class of 2017 — No Cameras, No Press, Just Impact
Pittsburgh, PA — October 2025 — In a move that perfectly mirrors his quiet leadership and selfless play on the field, Pittsburgh Steelers superstar linebacker T.J. Watt has quietly paid off the remaining
According to multiple university sources, Watt’s foundation covered more than $200,000 in student loan balances earlier this year. The gesture came with
“T.J. didn’t want this to be about headlines,” a Wisconsin official said. “He just wanted to give people a fresh start. That’s who he’s always been — hard work, no spotlight, maximum heart.”
Watt, who played at Wisconsin from 2013–2016 before being drafted by the Steelers in 2017, has long credited the school for shaping his career and character. His breakout season with the Badgers not only put him on the NFL radar but also instilled in him the blue-collar mentality that defines his game today.
A member of Wisconsin’s financial aid department confirmed that Watt’s representatives worked directly with the university to identify 2017 graduates who still carried federal or private student loan debt. Within weeks, those balances were fully paid off — with notifications sent quietly to each former student.
For many recipients, the unexpected act of generosity lifted a financial weight that had followed them for nearly a decade. One alum shared on social media, “I just got a letter saying my student loans were cleared — and it was T.J. Watt who did it. I’m still shaking. He just changed lives without saying a word.”
This isn’t the first time Watt has made a meaningful impact away from the spotlight. Over the years, he has donated to youth sports programs across Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, sponsored after-school fitness centers, and funded athletic scholarships for underprivileged students.
Now, his latest gesture further cements his reputation as a leader far beyond the football field — a man defined by substance, not spectacle.
As news spreads through Madison and Pittsburgh, fans are hailing Watt not just as the heart of the Steelers’ defense but as a hometown hero whose quiet acts of kindness echo louder than any sack celebration.
Broncos best option to start alongside Dre Greenlaw is painfully obvious
The Denver Broncos announced that they have designated inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw to return from the Injured Reserve list, where he has been since Week 3 due to a quad injury. Broncos Country finally got the injury update they have been waiting for. One of their top free-agent acquisitions is closer to making his debut in orange and blue. Will it be on Sunday against the Giants? We do not know, but the good news is that he is back in practice and did not have any setbacks.
One of Denver's top priorities heading into the offseason was the inside linebacker position. They addressed it in free agency by signing former 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a 3-year, $34 million deal. Greenlaw is a force in the middle of the defense when healthy. In 64 games over six years with San Francisco, he recorded 455 tackles, 3 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Greenlaw is an experienced linebacker who will bring a lot of energy to this young Broncos defense led by Vance Joseph. It's a significant upgrade when he's on the field compared to what the team has had recently.
Dre Greenlaw's return leads to a big and very important question...Who starts alongside him?
Broncos' best option to start alongside Dre Greenlaw is Justin Strnad
Greenlaw, when healthy, is a monster. He should be an instant starter at the inside linebacker position. Now the big question is who starts alongside him. My answer would be Cody Barton, but he left Denver in free agency and signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. This leads to veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad (the actual starting tandem).
Singleton is an experienced veteran who is very liked inside Denver's locker room. He is a team captain and currently leads the Broncos in tackles with 51. The concern with Singleton is that he is getting older and is coming back from a Torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2024-25 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite leading the team in tackles, Singleton looks slow, which makes sense following that injury, and has been burnt by opposing players, noting significantly Saquon Barkley's touchdown in week 5 on a wheel route. Singleton has missed lots of tackles.
On the other hand, there is Justin Strnad, who, believe it or not, has been one of the team's breakout players so far in the 2025-26 season. He currently has 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He is a solid inside linebacker who, in the past, was a solid special teams player at best, and now, in my opinion, he is the one who should start alongside Dre Greenlaw. Strnad is a more dynamic and faster player compared to Singleton. I would not be surprised if Denver tries to trade Singleton, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Denver has Drew Sanders, who is currently injured, and also has Levelle Bailey and Karene Reid.
