T.J. Watt, Damar Hamlin named finalists for 2024 AP NFL Defense Player of the Year

PITTSBURGH — The NFL announced today that Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is one of five finalists for the 2024 Associated Press NFL Defense Player of the Year.

Watt is vying for the award along with Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Baun, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II.

Watt won the award in 2021, and was a finalist in 2024. He led the league this year with six forced fumbles.

Watt is the only Steeler named as a finalist for any of the major AP NFL awards.

Meantime, McKees Rocks native and Buffalo Bill safety Damar Hamlin is a finalist for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

Hamlin suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a Buffalo Bills game in Cincinnati in January of 2023. Since then, he’s devoted his life to educating people about the importance of having AED’s and knowing CPR.

To mark the second year since the incident, Hamlin honored the Bills’ training staff that saved his life. He created a Buffalo Heroes scholarship under his Chasing M’s Foundation youth scholarship program.

Hamlin has started 14 regular season games this year for the Bills. He was a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, but the award went to Joe Flacco.

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