Meet Dani Rhodes: Athlete, Partner, and Mom — The Woman by T.J. Watt’s Side

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt married former professional soccer player Dani Rhodes on July 9, 2022, in a stunning beachside ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They first started dating in 2016 while both were student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (The Knot). After six years together, their intimate wedding included T.J.’s brothers J.J. and Derek Watt, as well as Dani’s former teammates

A Wisconsin native from Waukesha, Dani excelled in both basketball and soccer through high school—earning state honors and scoring over 1,000 basketball points—and later starred at the University of Wisconsin, where she claimed Big Ten Forward of the Year in 2019 and was a three-time Academic All‑Big Ten honoree

Her soccer career continued professionally: she played for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL and then joined Þróttur Reykjavík in Iceland, before retiring in February 2023 to embark on a new chapter with T.J. Watt

In September 2024, the couple announced they were expecting their first child, and in March 2025 welcomed daughter Blakely Marie Watt with heartfelt posts celebrating “Worth The Wait”

Beyond their professional athletic achievements, Dani and T.J. are active ambassadors for children’s and community health through initiatives like the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Pittsburgh-based food rescue charities Their journey—from college athletes to loving parents—belies a shared commitment to family, service, and personal growth.

Together, they show that their partnership thrives not just in athletic arenas, but in love, purpose, and legacy—rooted in mutual respect and shared dreams.