Terrell Watson’s ‘Nightmare’ started at birth, but ended with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Every year we get these stories in the NFL which simply stick with you. Whether it’s someone overcoming tragedy, poverty or some malady to make their way to the NFL, each story has its own merit.

This year, one of those stories belongs to a current member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And if you haven’t heard Terrell Watson’s incredible story, sit back and enjoy . . . you won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

Watson was left on his grandparents’ doorstep as an infant by his 15-year-old mother. He was raised by his grandparents and eventually attended Asuza Pacific University to play college football—the alma mater of Christian Okoye “The Nigerian Nightmare”— where Watson broke almost all of Okoye’s school records.

Looking to be drafted by the league, Watson was bypassed in the draft but was given a shot with the Cincinnati Bengals during training camp. He spent the 2015 season on their practice squad, and in 2015 moved on to the Cleveland Browns, the Denver Broncos and eventually to the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2017, he was given a chance with the Steelers and he turned this opportunity into landing a spot on the 53-man roster.

The story is remarkable, but the video is even more powerful. Learn a little more about the man Pittsburgh calls “Nightmare” in the video below: