Looking Back and Forward and Intown’s Person of the Year
Now in our sixth year of awarding a person of the year in Houston, we still try not to always do the obvious. This year was an exception. After trying hard to determine that there was someone else more impactful, or interesting, we ended up at the same conclusion, J. J. Watt. The only thing we suggest is to hold the salute and celebration after each magnificent play. Aren’t you supposed to start acting like you have been there before when you have already. JJ Watt is a compelling story. A tireless worker and one who inspires others and gives of his time to many people who are in need and want his attention. His charity is already doing good work.
Watt’s career in football was not always an illustrious one. As a non-recruited freshman at Central Michigan it seemed unlikely he would become a superstar in the NFL. Although maybe he did. Our previous selections were the late George Mitchell of fracking fame last year. Rick Smith, GM for the Texans, who brought us their first playoff win ever and drafted Watt in 2011. Before that, the nation’s first openly gay and female mayor, Annise Parker.The late great Peter Marzio of MFAH fame in 2010. Our first in 2009 of course was a no brainer, Beyonce.
Our special tribute is to Mrs. Yvonne Streit, who many already know about for her long and fruitful career of leadership and education in very difficult circumstances.
It has been a tough year for the Houston Dynamo losing their longtime coach and goalkeeper, but the recent signing of Mexican sensation Erick Torres should be a big boost. Jose Altuve is our Sportsman of The Year and he continues to fly under the radar, leading all of baseball in hits and batting average.
While 2014 has been be an indelible year for many reasons, I’m looking forward to 2015 and wondering how and when can I get my first box of Cuban cigars.
Intown’s Person Of The Year J.J. Watt
“Dream Big Work Hard”
After awaking for many years at 5:30 to begin his workouts that he credits for his success, J. J. Watt maintains an even sharper focus despite becoming the Houston Texans first 100 million dollar man. Watt’s contract makes him the highest paid defensive player in the history of the National Football League.
Under the microscope of all the national attention his focus has helped his team stay in playoff contention and put himself in position to win the NFL’s coveted Most Valuable Player Award, normally reserved for the quarterback position. He was also a Pro Bowl selection along with teammate Arian Foster. Watt has even caught passes for touchdowns on plays designed for him on offense.
Despite his recent success it was not always that way. Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, just west of Milwaukee he was told that he was “too skinny, too small, and not fast enough.” to be a football player in high school. Not highly recruited by colleges, Watt was offered a scholarship to Central Michigan where he hoped to excel as a tight end. At the end of the year he was asked to move to offensive tackle.
Watt then decided to be closer to home and walk-on at the University of Wisconsin. He redshirted his first year there and was named Scout Team Player of The Year. His hard work finally paid off when in 2010 he was selected a second team All – American, and first team All – Big Ten. He also won the coveted Lott Impact Player Award that was given for personal character as well as athletic excellence.
The Houston Texans thought highly enough of him to make him their 1st pick in the 2011 draft and the 11th overall pick and it has certainly been their best decision in the franchise’s history.
Giving Back
As a kid Watt’s dad told him, “I don’t expect you to be perfect, but I always expect you to try and be perfect.”
For many adoring fans, Watt goes out of his way in helping others and sharing his time with his fans and to those in need. He has over 1 million likes on Facebook and over 600 thousand followers on Twitter. His foundation is designed to help middle schools in Houston and Wisconsin who lack sufficient funding for afterschool programs that involve athletics in a safe and supervised setting. The programs are designed to encourage kids to dream big and to persevere under adversity.