NFL's T.J. Watt And Soccer's Dani Rhodes Get Engaged

Waukesha, WI —A match made in heaven? Perhaps. Certainly one made in Waukesha County, and Madison.

T.J. Watt, the former Pewaukee High football standout who now plays linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has gotten engaged to Dani Rhodes, who starred on the soccer field at Waukesha West. Both Watt and Rhodes had standout athletic careers at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Last Thursday, the 26-year-old Watt posted a photo on Instagram of him down on one knee proposing to Rhodes. The couple is standing next to a lake. The caption read: "I am the luckiest man in the world!!"

While that would suggest Rhodes, 23, did accept the proposal, she confirmed it the following day on her on Instagram account, posting a photo of the couple and writing: "It still feels like I'm dreaming. Woke up today feeling so incredibly happy and blessed that I get to marry my best friend. I can’t wait to love you FOREVER!"

Watt, whose brothers J.J. and Derek also are in the NFL, is entering his fifth season with the Steelers after they drafted him in the first round (30th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft.

According to Allison Koehler with Steelerswire, Watt is scheduled to play the 2021 season on his fifth-year option, signed in 2020, that is worth $10.6 million. Though the Steelers could chose to extend Watts' contract before the season begins on Sept. 12.

Rhodes also is a professional athlete, spending time with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) during 2020 season and 2021 preseason. As a senior at Wisconsin in 2019, Rhodes was named Big Ten Forward of the Year and was a Second Team All-American.

In Feb. 2020, T.J. Watt's older brother J.J. Watt, now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, married Kealia Ohai, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Kealia Watt also is a professional soccer player, and she currently plays for the Red Stars after playing with the NWSL's Houston Dash.