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J.J. Watt wins 3rd Defensive Player of the Year award

Thomas Shea / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Watt recorded 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 29 tackles for loss to capture the award for the second consecutive year.

The Texans superstar joins former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor as the only player to win Defensive Player of the Year three times.

"I was a two-star recruit coming out (of high school) and now I have three Defensive Player of the Year awards. So, screw all of you guys for doubting me," Watt said upon accepting the award.

Watt received 37 votes. St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald received seven votes, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly garnered four votes, and Panthers cornerback Josh Norman received two nominations.

The 26-year-old is a singular force like no other defensive player in the NFL, routinely beating double teams over the course of his career.

Watt is slated to be in contention for the award for the foreseeable future, as he has shown no signs of slowing down.

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