J. J. Watt

Considered to be one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time, Watt received the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times in his first five seasons.^[2] Although primarily a defensive end, he occasionally shifted to defensive tackle. He also took snaps on offense, catching three touchdown passes during the 2014 season. He holds the Texans' franchise records for sacks and forced fumbles. In 2017, Sports Illustrated named Watt its Sportsman of the Year. After retiring in 2023, he joined The NFL Today as a studio analyst. He is the older brother of T. J. Watt and Derek Watt.

Philanthropy[edit]

Watt is the president and founder of the Justin J. Watt Foundation, a charity organization that provides after-school opportunities for children in various communities, for them to get involved in athletics in a safe environment.^[171][172] The foundation's motto, "Dream Big, Work Hard" is sold on wristbands and T-shirts. Since this foundation was launched in 2010, Watt has raised over $1 million.^[172] While most of the schools that benefit from the fundraising are in Texas and Wisconsin, schools in Alabama, Illinois, and California have also received donations. Watt's mother Connie is the vice president of the organization. Watt and the J. J. Watt Foundation host a Charity Classic, Run/Walk, Golf Outing, and Tailgate annually.^[173] The Charity Classic is a softball game held at Constellation Field, in Sugar Land, Texas, in which Texans players participate in a game, and Home Run Derby to raise money for the foundation.^[174] The inaugural Charity Classic game was in 2013, and the 2014 Charity Classic raised over $436,433 towards his foundation.^[175] On August 26, 2014, Watt received the Texans Spirit of the Bull Community Award.^[176] On November 14, 2014, Watt was nominated for the NFL's Salute to Service Award that honors either a coach, player, or owner for their efforts in supporting the country's servicemen and women.^[177] Due to the extremely good turnout in 2014, the annual Charity Classic has been moved to Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. The 2015 event raised over $640,000. For the 2017 game, Watt invited Arnold Schwarzenegger and swimmer Simone Manuel, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and native of Houston.^[178]


Watt is also known for his interactions with children. On July 2, 2011, the Berry family was traveling home from a vacation in Colorado Springs. The parents, Joshua and Robin Berry, were killed in a head-on collision, and their two sons, Peter and Aaron, were left handicapped. Their daughter Willa suffered minor injuries. Watt met the children at a fundraiser and grew close to them. He played wheelchair basketball with them and mimed rolling a wheelchair after sacking a quarterback in a 2012 game. The mime was an agreed-upon signal between the Berry children and Watt as a post-sack celebration.^[179]


Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, Watt found out that some of the affected families were in the Houston area. He invited them out on the field to hang out and throw the football. He then proceeded to give them signed merchandise that he had worn in previous games.^[180] In October 2015, he dressed up as Batman to surprise kids at the Texas Children's Hospital for a Halloween party.^[181]


He also raised over $37 million ($100,000 of which he personally donated) to help Houston recover from Hurricane Harvey, surpassing his initial goal of $200,000.^[182]


After the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting that left eight students and two teachers dead, Watt offered to pay for the funerals of the deceased.^[183]


Watt covered the funeral costs for the victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack, which left six people dead.^[184]