Rookie’s compassion speaks to his character
Watson’s donations to 3 workers a way to pay it forward
Deshaun Watson knew he wanted to do something.
Help out. Give back. Offer an open hand to those who had lost so much during Hurricane Harvey.
The Texans visited a shelter at nearby NRG Center before Week 1. J.J. Watt became a national beacon, collecting more than $37 million for Harvey relief.
Watson kept Watt’s dedication in the back of his mind. Then three days after the rookie threw for 301 yards and nearly beat Tom Brady in New England, the Texans’ 22-year-old quarterback — whose young life was once drastically changed by an NFL player — reached out to three women recovering from Harvey’s destruction.
“I’m excited to do a little surprise for the cafeteria ladies,” Watson said Wednesday, as a camera followed his steps down an NRG Stadium hallway and into the team’s main eating area. Denisse Benavides. Isabel Sanchez. Maria Rincon. Each was presented with a check — white paper wrapped
with a bow — that represented one third of Watson’s first game check.
“The people who work so hard for us behind the scenes, especially the people in the cafeteria — I mean, they’re here at 4:30 in the morning,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Thursday. “Some of those people, in Harvey, they lost everything.”
Within hours, Watson’s simple but heartfelt gesture had gone viral. By Wednesday evening, the video of Watson presenting the checks — joyous surprise, then tears and warm hugs — was one of the main highlights on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and a lead story on national websites. Unity. Selflessness. It was a powerful, Wattlike moment from a rookie who’s played just three pro games and only became the Texans’ starting QB 15 days ago.
A simple plan
It started with a simple, vague thought from Watson — he should do something to help out Harvey victims — and was self-generated by a collegiate national champion, who’s becoming known on Kirby Drive for his sincerity and inner drive.
After word spread within NRG Stadium that the three cafeteria workers had been severely affected by flooding, Watson eventually hit upon the idea of donating his game check ($27,353) to the women. He ran the plan by the Texans, consulted an adviser and slept on the idea.
By Wednesday afternoon, Watson was walking toward the team cafeteria with three checks for more than $9,000 apiece in hand.
“A number of our players donated money to help them and then he gave his game check, which is incredible,” O’Brien said. “That’s the type of guy he is. He’s a first-class guy.”
What the brief video — which had been liked almost 52,000 times and retweeted more than 28,000 as of Thursday evening — didn’t show was Watson feeling nervous before the presentation, becoming emotional after the hugs and being moved by the power of simple human kindness. Giving back felt so good.
The helping hand also brought Watson full circle back to 2006, when thenNFL running back Warrick Dunn gave Watson’s family a much-needed home through a Habitat for Humanity project.
Watson grew up in the projects — 815 Harrison Square in Gainesville, Ga. — and has the number tattooed on his body.
Life-changing day
“That day when Warrick Dunn came, I’ll never forget it. He was there at the house that day. When he presented them the keys, that family, they were so excited.” Watson’s aunt, Sonia, said in April, after the Texans traded up to take the former Clemson star with the No. 12 pick in the 2017 draft.
After his family left the 815, Watson’s mother, Deann, was diagnosed with stage-five tongue cancer.
Watson cried the night he became a Texan, then teared up again while reading a letter written by his mother.
“Love you, Mama,” Watson said. “We made it.”
Less than five months later, the Texans’ bright new hope at quarterback was thinking about Harvey’s destruction after others had started moving on.
Watson did what he’s quickly becoming known for within the walls of NRG: quietly watching and observing; not saying much but paying attention all the time.
Then Watson decided to give back to three people in need, and soon touched the hearts of so many more.