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First, the Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year. Now, the 2017 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt graciously accepted one of the NFL's most illustrious and respected awards at NFL Honors on Saturday night. The Man of the Year Award is given to players who have shown excellence on and off the field.
J.J. Watt says his parents taught him from a young age to give back. "People are always watching what we're going to do next and if we use that power for good, if we can use that power to create positivity in this world…we can do some incredible things." pic.twitter.com/sqWxcZEmek
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 4, 2018
What highlights Watt's selection was the incredible off-the-field job he did within the Houston community. In just three weeks, Watt raised $37 million for the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
In 2010, Watt launched the Justin J. Watt Foundation that helps underserved kids. It's provided more than $3 million in to middle school athletic programs. The fashion for which Watt's entangled himself with the city of Houston is nothing short of unbelievable.
J.J. Watt on the NFL Honors Red Carpet and his message to Houston: "Stay Strong…I love Houston, it's my second home. I couldn't ask for anywhere else to play." #Texans pic.twitter.com/lbd99CxZvn
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 3, 2018
As a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year award recipient, Watt and NFL Honors now go hand-in-hand with grandma and apple pie.
Other award winners on the NFL's most sparkling off-the-field night included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady taking home his third NFL AP MVP, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald winning the Defensive Player of the Year, and Rams running back Todd Gurley snagging the Offensive Player of the Year award.
On the rookie end of things, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was announced as the Offensive Rookie of the Year while Saints Marshon Lattimore won the hardware on the defensive side. Rams coach Sean McVey was awarded the NFL Head Coach of the Year making it three of the six major awards going to the Rams organization.
That top award, at least according to most at the NFL level, was appropriately handed out to Watt.
Watt, 28, only played in five games in 2017 and three games the year prior, but that's what makes this specific honor so prestigious. To give back to this degree off the field could only be described as phenomenal.
