J.J. Watt is one of three remaining finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, along with Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson.
Watt helped raise over $37 million for the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in just 19 days. He began with a donation of $100,000, hoping to raise an additional $100,000. He quickly exceeded his initial goal as his online fundraising campaign drew worldwide attention from other athletes, celebrities and organizations. With the donations, Watt selected several organizations that can help rebuild Houston and areas of Southwest Texas. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year, along with his teammates, also personally distributed supplies during the aftermath of Harvey.
Each year, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service as well as excellence on the football field. Watt, Olsen and Watson are the three finalists from a group of 32 nominees. The winner will be announced on the eve of Super Bowl LII during NFL Honors, a primetime awards ceremony that will air Feb. 3 on NBC.
J.J. Watt--from his time as a Texan back to his Wisconsin Badger days--is featured here in photos.
