Watt more could I ask for?
To my amazement, Forbes' report of the National Football League's Most Liked Players of 2012 never once mentions JJ Watt. As I began to think why, I realized that most of my female friends are also on the "sWatt team" of JJ Watt super fans. Most of my male friends, while they are fans of JJ, favor other players.
JJ, in my eyes, is the perfect player. It's possible that I think this way because I'm a female and I take into consideration factors that many male football fans might not.
(photo: Taylor Grosvenor)
With his famous work ethic and inspiration slogan, "Dream Big, Work Hard", JJ was the first player in NFL history to record 16.5 sacks and tip 15 passes in a single season during his 2012 season. He was awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, receiving 49 of the 50 total votes in addition to landing a spot on the National Football League Top 100 players list at No. five, the highest ever debutant, and the highest-ranked defensive player.
So, I've established that JJ is a total beast. You could tell just by seeing a picture of the 6-foot-5, 289 lb. man. However, he is so much more than his 59.5 inch box jump.
On the field, he's a bone crusher. Off the field, he's a giant teddy bear. JJ has heart. He cares deeply about his community, children, and his family. Most famously, JJ started the Justin J. Watt Foundation, which, according to the website, aims to "provide after-school opportunities for children in the community to become involved in athletics, so that they may learn the basic character traits of accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic and perseverance while in a safe and supervised environment with their peers."
So what, right? Why does that make him unique from any other philanthropic player?
JJ gives more than just his money, he gives his time and his heart. The Berry children, Peter, Aaron and Willa Berry, are members of my community at home. They live in my neighborhood, attend my old elementary and middle school, are students of my aunt, and attend my religious center. I know that JJ Watt has done everything in his power to become a role model, older brother, and inspiration to these children.
This is not for his public relations. This is his life and his real commitment. Watch this short video to hear a part of the Berry kids' story and JJ's role in their lives.
It's clear that JJ has been raised well. In addition to being an exemplar citizen, he is a devoted son and brother.
(photo: JJ WATT-justinjames99) (JJ posted this photo on his Instagram showing the love he has for his mother)
He has taught his two younger brothers, T.J. and Derek, to follow in his footsteps as football players at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. They're a close group of brothers and clearly have learned from their parents.
JJ learned to be a hero from his father, a firefighter and upstanding citizen. When the lives of four firefighters were taken in a fire in Houston this past June, the tragedy hit home as described in this video and article by Nick Scurfield, Houston Texans journalist.
Number 99 is the epitome of a perfect player. He has outstanding work ethic on and off the field, unmatched dedication to whatever he does, a hero and philanthropist, and a family man. JJ is in the limelight for all the right reasons and I would bet he won't have any trouble with the media in the future.
Last but not least, JJ is also easy on the eyes.
(photo: GQ Magazine) (JJ Watt poses for his GQ debut in "Big Tex: JJ Watt")
JJ Watt is number one on my favorite player list.