Who Is T.J. Watt's Wife? All About Dani Rhodes

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

T.J. Wattis well known for his family ties — he’s one of atrio of brothers. But his brothers aren’t the only family in his corner. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker married his girlfriend of six years,Dani Rhodes, in 2022.

The couple first met as student-athletes at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madisonand both went on to become professional athletes. After getting engaged in 2021, Rhodes and Watt celebrated their wedding inCabo San Lucas, Mexico, the following year.

“When I was a little girl I never thought I’d find someone special enough to ever change my last name… But I found him and couldn’t be happier to share a name with the man of my dreams,“Rhodes wroteon Instagram after their wedding.

In March 2025, Rhodes and Watt announced the arrival of their first child, daughterBlakely.

Who is T.J. Watt’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Dani Rhodes.

She grew up in Wisconsin

TJ Watt/Instagram

Rhodes grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where she attended Waukesha West High School. She was named to her school’sprom courtand played bothbasketballandsoccer.

She went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Shegraduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madisonin December 2020 with adegreein life sciences communication.

A student-athlete, Rhodes played soccer for the university. In 2019, she was namedBig Ten Forward of the Yearand received anAll-America Second Team honor.

Rhodes was also athree-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

She is a former professional soccer player

Dani Rhodes Instagram

In 2020, Rhodes played one season for theChicago Red Starsin theNational Women’s Soccer League. The following year, she signed with ​​Thróttur Reykjavík, a professional team in Iceland.

During her tenure in Iceland, she posted photos of herself exploring the country, including photos of a trip her family took tovisit her there.

Rhodes retired from soccer in February 2023.

“This was not an easy decision for me, but my body and my mind are ready and excited for another chapter,” she wrote onInstagram. “This game introduced me to so many amazing people, took me to places around the world that I could only dream of, and taught me how to overcome adversity.”

She played soccer with her sister-in-law

Before they were sisters-in-law, Rhodes played for the Chicago Red Stars withKealia Ohai, who marriedJJ Wattin 2020.

When Rhodes announced her engagement to Watt on Instagram in 2021,Ohai commented, “I’m so happy❤️.”

She married Watt in Mexico

In July 2022, the coupletied the knotin Cabo San Lucas. Watt’s Pittsburgh Steelers teammates — including his brotherDerek Watt— were in attendance, in addition to Rhodes' soccer teammates from throughout her career.

She also played basketball

Not only did Rhodes play soccer in high school, but she was also a basketball athlete who put up impressive numbers. She was captain of thebasketball teamin both her junior and senior years.

In her final season, she scored more than1,000 points and held her high school’s all-time scoring recordat the time.

“Dani is not only one of the best soccer players in the state, but she’s also a leading scorer in Wisconsin for basketball,” said UW’s women’s soccer head coach Paula Wilkins.

She has two brothers

Rhodes has two brothers: Drew and Dylan. Shedescribedher older brother Drew as “a best friend and brother all in one.”

She’s also called her younger brother Dylan “the best younger brother a sister could ask for.” In an Instagram caption,she wrote, “You have the biggest heart out of anyone I know and I’m so proud of WHO you are.”

Dylan returned the praise when Rhodes and Watt got married,thankingthem for letting him be the “prettiest bridesmaid.”

She and Watt share a daughter

T.J. Watt and daughter Blakely.Dani Marie Watt/Instagram

Dani Marie Watt/Instagram

Rhodes and Watt are officially parents! They announced the arrival of their first child together, daughter Blakely Marie Watt, in March 2025.

source: people.com