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T.J. Watt Explains June Minicamp Absence Was Because of Someone: “I’m Not the One Who Cares About Practice.”

When T.J. Watt skipped Steelers minicamp in June, it sparked a wave of speculation. Was it contract-related? Was there tension behind the scenes? A cryptic photo posted to social media—Watt standing with his back to the camera, face hidden—only fueled the fire.

Now, the All-Pro linebacker has broken his silence.

“I’m not the one who cares about practice,” Watt said with a slight smirk.
“My wife had something personal come up, and for me, family comes first—always.”

The explanation wasn’t dramatic. In fact, it was grounded, honest, and quietly powerful. Watt made it clear he had already communicated his absence to the team ahead of time—and Coach Tomlin supported it. There were no fines, no fallout, and no message being sent through that mysterious offseason photo.

“I didn’t think it was cryptic,” Watt added, referring to the image. “I just thought it was a cool picture.”

But for fans used to decoding every post during contract seasons, it was enough to stir rumors. Many wondered if Watt’s long-term future in Pittsburgh was uncertain. As it turns out, the moment had nothing to do with football—and everything to do with real life.

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Inside the Steelers locker room, sources say Watt remains locked in, fully engaged, and has not missed a beat during training camp so far. Teammates have praised his leadership and commitment, especially after signing a record-breaking extension just weeks ago.

Watt’s comments offer a rare reminder that even the NFL’s fiercest defenders are still human. For all the pressures of performance, legacy, and expectation, some things remain bigger than football.

And for T.J. Watt, that priority is clear: family isn’t a distraction—it’s the foundation.

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Packers Cheerleader Sues a Packers Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Green Bay Packers is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Packers Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Packers history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Green Bay Packers in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Packers Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Wisconsin, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Marquette University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lambeau Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Packers. As part of the Packers Cheer Squad team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Packers games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_packers) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Packers, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Packers player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Packers – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Packers are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Packers "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!