5 Interesting Facts About J.J. Watt

5 Interesting Facts About J.J. Watt

By Brenden McLaughlin

October 15, 2014

5 Interesting Facts About J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Houston Texans — J.J. Watt has quickly become one of the NFL's most dominant players. He's also one of the genuinely good guys in the game; something that can be appreciated by fans of all teams considering the issues surrounding the league. You often hear people poke fun at Watt for not saving any time to have a girlfriend, but did you know he's already married? How about the fact football isn't Watt's favorite sport? Here are five interesting Watt facts.

J.J. Watt has quickly become one of the NFL's most dominant players. He's also one of the genuinely good guys in the game; something that can be appreciated by fans of all teams considering the issues surrounding the league. You often hear people poke fun at Watt for not saving any time to have a girlfriend, but did you know he's already married? How about the fact football isn't Watt's favorite sport? Here are five interesting Watt facts.

5. He Played Tight End at Central Michigan University

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Touchdown Celebration

5. He Played Tight End at Central Michigan University

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Touchdown Celebration — J.J. Watt wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school and was only rated a two-star recruit as both a tight end and defensive end. He played his freshman season as a tight end at Central Michigan, where he recorded only eight catches on the year. Watt wasn't happy with his production and decided that those numbers weren't going to get him to the next level. Watt then called Brett Bielema and asked if he could walk on at Wisconsin.

J.J. Watt wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school and was only rated a two-star recruit as both a tight end and defensive end. He played his freshman season as a tight end at Central Michigan, where he recorded only eight catches on the year. Watt wasn't happy with his production and decided that those numbers weren't going to get him to the next level. Watt then called Brett Bielema and asked if he could walk on at Wisconsin.

4. He was a Pizza Hut Delivery Boy Before Attending Wisconsin

J.J. Watt Wisconsin Rose Bowl

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4. He was a Pizza Hut Delivery Boy Before Attending Wisconsin

J.J. Watt Wisconsin Rose Bowl — Between attending Central Michigan and Wisconsin, J.J. Watt was a Pizza Hut delivery boy. After giving up his scholarship to CMU and asking his parents for $20,000 to attend Wisconsin, Watt decided to get a job in his hometown. He tells a story of a kid who answered the door, recognized him and asked his mom why J.J. Watt was at their house. All Watt could say was, “I have your pizza.” He cites that moment as the turning point in his journey.

Between attending Central Michigan and Wisconsin, J.J. Watt was a Pizza Hut delivery boy. After giving up his scholarship to CMU and asking his parents for $20,000 to attend Wisconsin, Watt decided to get a job in his hometown. He tells a story of a kid who answered the door, recognized him and asked his mom why J.J. Watt was at their house. All Watt could say was, “I have your pizza.” He cites that moment as the turning point in his journey.

3. His Younger Brothers, Derek and T.J., Both Currently Play Football at Wisconsin

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Draft Family

3. His Younger Brothers, Derek and T.J., Both Currently Play Football at Wisconsin

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Draft Family — Watt's brothers have followed in his footsteps and both play football at Wisconsin. Derek, a redshirt junior, plays fullback while T.J., a redshirt freshman, plays tight end. Derek was a three-star recruit out of high school and was a Big Ten Academic All-American in both 2012 and 2013. T.J. was also a three-star recruit and was the 28th ranked tight end coming out of high school.

Watt's brothers have followed in his footsteps and both play football at Wisconsin. Derek, a redshirt junior, plays fullback while T.J., a redshirt freshman, plays tight end. Derek was a three-star recruit out of high school and was a Big Ten Academic All-American in both 2012 and 2013. T.J. was also a three-star recruit and was the 28th ranked tight end coming out of high school.

2. He is Extremely Charitable

J.J.Watt Houston Texans Newton CT

2. Watt is Extremely Charitable

J.J.Watt Houston Texans Newton CT — J.J. Watt’s mother runs the daily operations of his charity, the Justin J. Watt Foundation, that provides funding for after school athletics. Watt also frequents childrens’ hospitals and constantly visits young fans. He even “fake married” a six-year-old girl whose YouTube video showed her crying because she wanted to marry J.J. Watt. He invited her out to Houston, gave her his white jersey to wear as a dress and made her dream come true.

J.J. Watt’s mother runs the daily operations of his charity, the Justin J. Watt Foundation, that provides funding for after school athletics. Watt also frequents childrens’ hospitals and constantly visits young fans. He even “fake married” a six-year-old girl whose YouTube video showed her crying because she wanted to marry J.J. Watt. He invited her out to Houston, gave her his white jersey to wear as a dress and made her dream come true.

1. His Favority Sport is Hockey

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Introduction

1. His Favority Sport is Hockey

J.J. Watt Houston Texans Introduction — As a Wisconsin native, J.J. Watt’s favorite sport is hockey. He played hockey from ages 3-13, but had to quit after the financial burden for his parents became too much. Watt skates as part of his offseason workouts and says Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara is his favorite current player. Go figure -- Watt would like one of the few NHL players larger than him.

As a Wisconsin native, J.J. Watt’s favorite sport is hockey. He played hockey from ages 3-13, but had to quit after the financial burden for his parents became too much. Watt skates as part of his offseason workouts and says Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara is his favorite current player. Go figure -- Watt would like one of the few NHL players larger than him.

Brenden McLaughlin is a Baltimore Ravens writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b_maction or add him to your network on Google.

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