Texans 'Unique' J.J. Watt to Ring of Honor

Originally posted on FanNation Texans Daily
By Mike Fisher | Last updated 6/12/23

"Dream Big, Work Hard.''

The Houston Texans are announcing that J.J. Watt will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor, making the legend's personal motto continue to resonate all over again.

Watt will officially be inducted during the team's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 1. (See the full Texans schedule and analysis here.) The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year is joins a very exclusive list as only the third member to be inducted, joining founder Bob McNair and receiver Andre Johnson.

"We are so excited to have J.J. Watt join the Ring of Honor as our third member,'' the McNair family said in a statement. "Everybody knows how much J.J. means to our family, the Texans organization and the entire City of Houston. He is one of the most dominant players in NFL history and he created a unique and irreplaceable bond with our fans. J.J. has always kept a special place in Houston's heart and we're thrilled to welcome him back. On the behalf of the entire organization, we can't wait to give J.J. and his family the celebration he deserves on October 1st."

Indeed, the Watt legacy in Houston is about much more than just football.

The 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Watt spent 10 seasons with Houston, earning honors as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 14-15), a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2012-15, 2018) and a five-time First-Team All-Pro (2012-15, 2018). He was also an iron man, having started in all 128 regular-season games in which he played, as well as seven of eight playoff games from 2011-2019.

Watt set the franchise record for sacks; his 101.0 sacks were the second-most in the NFL during that span. Additionally, Watt set franchise records for quarterback hits (281), multi-sack games (26), forced fumbles (25) and fumble recoveries (16). He led the NFL in sacks (20.5) in both 2012 and 2015.

And on top of it all, Watt's connection with the community is what makes him "unique.'' In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year served as what the Texans call "an unwavering fixture of hope'' as he was involved in raising more than $41 million to support the city.

"Dream Big, Work Hard"? J.J. Watt did all that and more ... and now will be officially recognized forever in in a game against the Steelers, so the entire Watt family can be there - for having done so.

Want even more Houston Texans news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

This article first appeared on FanNation Texans Daily and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: