J.J. Watt Honored: Inside Texans Icon’s Path Into Houston’s ‘Humanity’
What happens when a kid from Wisconsin dedicates his entire career to serving his community, both on and off the football field?
"This award is called ‘The Man of the Year Award," Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt said in 2017 upon winning the NFL’s highest honor. “But I promise you, it is so much bigger than just one man. This award is about the inherent good that lies within humanity. It is about the city of Houston, and its ability to overcome adversity when all seemed lost."
"Time and time again, we are shown how beautiful and generous the human spirit can be," he added. "And in today's world — more than ever — it is that spirit that we need to see more of."
Watt embodied that spirit during his 10-year tenure with the Texans. Whether it was by racking up sacks every season to eventually take ownership of the franchise's all-time sack record, helping lead his team to the playoffs numerous times or leading a city-wide effort to help Houston recover from the effects of Hurricane Harvey, Watt made himself a beacon for the city's fans and citizens.
And when it came time for him to hang up his cleats, the future Hall-of-Famer left the game of football as one of its most influential figures.
Watt's official retirement came two years after his departure from Houston in 2020 when he moved to the Arizona Cardinals. He made the most of that opportunity and played 23 games over two more seasons — though his status as an NFL great had long been cemented.
Still frame from Gatorade's tribute film in honor of NFL Legend J.J. Watt's retirement, set to air on ESPN during night one of the NFL Draft Thursday, April 27. (Photo provided by GatoradeWatt also used his platform to inspire others in a different way - via his long-time partnership with Gatorade.
Watt’s stature, he says, was in part fueled by a corporate partnership.
"Being a Gatorade athlete has been a true highlight of my career," Watt said. "The iconic brand has fueled me to not only perform at my best every game day but has also elevated my platform to give back and inspire the next generation beyond the field. There’s no other brand I would rather have alongside me for my career."
Since joining the league, Watt and Gatorade have worked on multiple campaigns aimed at motivating younger athletes to chase after their dreams. Perhaps the most notable campaign of its kind came in 2019, when Gatorade released 'Make Your Rival Your Fuel', which Watt starred in to help "demonstrate that even the world’s most accomplished athletes experience the feeling of defeat and failure to fuel future success."
Now, the company is prepared to say goodbye to the long era that saw Watt in an NFL uniform with a special tribute to the former Texan, set to debut on draft night.
“J.J. Watt has been an integral part of our Gatorade family for over a decade," Gatorade's Global Head of Sports Marketing Jeff Kearney said. "[He] has always embodied our brand ethos centered in giving all athletes a chance to play sports.
"It’s been a privilege to fuel his performance for 12 NFL seasons, but we’re even prouder to have worked closely with him to make a tangible impact in the community for so many years. It’s fitting that we celebrate JJ’s legacy during the NFL Draft, where it all began for him, and where it will begin this week for the next generation.”
The brand also made a $99,000 donation to Watt's foundation in honor of his retirement.
During his 12-year career, the 34-year-old tallied 586 total tackles, 114.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles — the latter two enough to make him the Texans' all-time leader in those categories. Watt was also a five-time Pro Bowler, a multi-year NFL sack leader and a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"Just like everybody says, it goes by in the blink of an eye," Watt told Rich Eisen in February. "It was a quick 12 years, but I'm so thankful for it. I'm so proud of it ... I have nothing but gratitude and love."
While Watt feels that way about the people he's met throughout his time in the league, the feeling is mutual from those that he impacted off the field as well.
The defensive end was pivotal during Houston's Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, spending time helping out those in need, as well as donating to the cause himself. Over the course of his fundraiser, Watt raised more than $30 million for the victims of the storm to help the city to recover.
That, paired with Watt's continuous donations to middle school athletics programs through his foundation, have made him a true beacon in his community, both in Houston and Glendale.
"Whether we realize it or not, we are affecting everyone around us with our every move," Watt said in his MOY speech. "The more that we can shine a light on the positivity and the good that there is in this world, the better off we're going to be."
So, what happens when a Wisconsin native dedicates his entire career to serving his community, both on and off the football field?
In short, Watt showed exactly what happened.
Still frame from Gatorade's tribute film in honor of NFL Legend J.J. Watt's retirement, set to air on ESPN during night one of the NFL Draft Thursday, April 27. (Photo provided by Gatorade)
The NFL got an all-time great defensive end, Houston got a community role model, Derek and T.J. Watt got an older brother who they could look up to in multiple ways, and the Hall-of-Fame got a player who embodies the idea of leaving a legacy.
Watt was all of those things and more. And now, he gets the chance to inspire a new class of rookies set to make their NFL debuts next season, with both him and Gatorade leading the charge.
The NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday, April 27 in Kansas City, and the tribute film will make its TV debut during coverage of night one on ESPN.
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