On Tuesday, ESPN released its third-annual World Fame 100, which ranks the biggest names in sports based on search popularity, endorsements and social media following.
Defensive end J.J. Watt, who has more than 10.5 million combined Instagram, Facebook and Twitter followers, made the list for the third-consecutive year, coming in at No. 72. Watt ranked 74th last year and 56th in 2016.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was the only defender to make the list and was one of seven NFL players overall, joining quarterbacks Tom Brady (38), Drew Brees (47), Cam Newton (54), Aaron Rodgers (59), Russell Wilson (81) and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (53).
Although Watt's 2017 season was cut short due to injury, his charitable work off the field is unmatched.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in August, Watt launched a relief fund, personally donating $100,000 with a public goal of $200,000. Watt's fund raised more than $37 million with contributions from more than 209,000 donors in 19 days and he was later named the 2017 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.
In the wake of Friday's tragedy at Santa Fe High School, Watt offered to pay for the victims' funeral services and spent part of this week visiting students being treated for gunshot wounds at a local hospital.
