J.J. leaves his heart out on the feild.si.comAs Hurricane Harvey started to drop its anchor on the coast of Texas the world held its breath. Its aftermath left devastation in the city of Houston leaving civilians in turmoil, thinking how could their city be restored. While the people were in dismay J.J. Watt came to the rescue. Justin James or J.J. Watt was born on March 22, 1989 to John and Connie Watt. He, his parents, and his brothers, Derek and T.J. Watt, grew up in the small town of Waukesha, Wisconsin. After quitting hockey because of money reasons, he turned to football and eventually got a scholarship to The University of Central Michigan. After being upset over minimal playing time Watt took a year off of school to make extra money. A year later he eagerly started school again, but this time at the University of Wisconsin. After two years of scaring and sacking quarterbacks for the Badgers, he was drafted 11th overall to the Houston Texans in the 2011 NFL draft. In 2014 he signed a six year contract extension with the Texans worth 100 million dollars. An individual classifies as a hero if they act selflessly, are willing to do anything for what they believe and are one who is widely looked up to. J.J. Watt is a true humanitarian because he used his popularity to help people going through hardship and was the change he wanted to see during Hurricane Harvey.
J.J. surprises Noah FullmerToday.comJ.J is not all for the money and does not let money bind him from always looking to help struggling people. After signing a hundred million dollar extension a friend suggested he buy something big, so he “Googled "What do rich people buy?”(Maxwell). Although one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL, J.J. Watt is a humble man with a rich man’s bank account and is not accustomed to owning a big vault of money. He does not value his ego and making piles money as much as he values people and helping those in need. Watt hand delivered a new JJ Watt jersey to eight year old Noah Fullmer, who suffered two broken legs from a horrifying car crash on New Year’s Eve; Noah’s old jersey was ruined while he was being rescued (Finn). This simple visit meant the world to this little kid, who after seeing that his idol was on his side breezed through the recovery process. Watt’s willingness to go out of his way, on New Year’s, to brighten struggling people’s day, makes him heroic. These acts of kindness are almost built into his schedule as he makes weekly visits to suffering fans. Not only does he use his popularity to help kids get through illness or traumatic events, he also applied his fame to raise money after Hurricane Harvey. 
Watt handing out hurricane relief boxes.USAToday.comWatt used his popularity on social media to help fund money to help rebuild Houston after Hurricane Harvey. In an emotional video Watt posted on twitter after the Hurricane Harvey hit he said, "I'm sitting here watching the news, checking the Internet and seeing everything that's going on with Hurricane Harvey and the damage it's causing back home, it's very difficult" (Finn). He is trying to raise awareness about the terrible disaster wreaking havoc in Houston. Watt immediately started considering others instead of only thinking about himself in times of danger. Many people were empathetic for the people in Houston, but only a few decided to act on it. Watt started raising money “with a goal of $200,000 and met that target within just two hours”(J.J. Watt keeps). J.J. Watt's sympathy and willingness to help people in need is demonstrated in the start of relief funds. J.J. is not a regular celebrity who posted social media videos with fake emotions over the hurricane, he acted on his feelings and created a fund. After nineteen days of funding he raised just over an astonishing $37 million (Barshop). By raising 37 million dollars many people’s homes have been or will be rebuilt in the struggle to rebound from the disaster. People trusted Watt enough to give him their money, over one thousand people contributed to his fund and about ten generous people donated over one million dollars. J.J. Watt raised over 35 million dollars for Houston, he not only helped thousands of people but united thousands more for one positive cause.Page created on 2/14/2018 7:14:55 PM
Last edited 2/15/2018 10:38:27 PM
