Aug 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Does J.J. Watt have a chance to be MVP? The buzz about Watt landing the coveted award has been in the background of the NFL since last season only got louder yesterday as Watt put on another amazing performance in front of the home crowd in Houston’s 21-45 trouncing of the Titans. Watt, who started the season $100,000,000.00 richer thanks to a 6 year contract the Texans offered him, stated his goal was to be considered underpaid in terms of his play has so far delivered this season. Watt, is playing at a level that defies comparison in the modern NFL. His 5th touchdown is the first time in 70 years that a defensive lineman has had 5 touchdowns in a single season, and the season isn’t over.
That 5 touchdown mark comes from 3 passes caught as a tight end, an interception returned for a touchdown and fumble recovered for a touchdown. The Texans need to give him a shot at a rushing touchdown and maybe a little trick play to throw one. Just for fun. Who’d want to get front of that massive rushing bull? Watt has earned the right to do what he does by playing football the right way. He plays with a passion most players only dream of on the field and off the field with a joy that makes people look up to him. To say J.J. Watt embodies the “All American” kid playing football is an understatement.
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On more pedestrian numbers, Watt is lighting it up as well. So far this season he’s been in on 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumbles recovered, an interception, 8 passes swatted, 9 stuff tackles and 1 kick blocked. Think about that, most defensive players won’t achieve those kinds of numbers in 3 years, Watt still has 4 games left to pad his resume for MVP. With two games against the Jaguars, and a game against the Colts on the docket Watt will have a chance to up his sack total.
Watt isn’t beloved by Houston for his on the field prowess, the Wisconsin native has adopted the City of Houston and represents everything you could want for a role model, something he doesn’t embrace and do for show but is a natural extension of his personality. He’s not a big flash, club hopping guy with a new girl on his arm every week gambling the night away in Vegas kinda guy. He’s delivered pizza to the Fire department, he’s been overseas on USO tours to visit deployed troops. As a veteran and someone who has been deployed, I thank him on behalf of all those serving Mr. Watt, we do appreciate it. He’s also helped at home with the USA TACT Team which gets tickets to military families to attend games.
Furthermore, Watt has a charity set up. The Justin J. Watt Foundation, whose mission statement is simple: “Our mission is 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.” He’s active, involved, driven in all aspects of his life. The NFL needs players like Watt, I the era of Ray Rice scandals and other less savory characters tarnishing the NFL, Watt is a beacon of what is right with football. His play, puts him in the conversation for MVP, his off the field activities merely icing on the cake.
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