Houston Texans: J.J. Watt bumps his profile with a prestigious award

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is going to have to build another trophy case to store all the hardware he has been getting as of late.  It’s certainly well-deserved because of his tireless efforts to help the community amid the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.  But Watt has received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award as a result.  What’s it all about?  Take a look.

The Houston Texans certainly have a terrific spokesman in J.J. Watt for their charitable arm, not only elevating the franchise’s brand but his as well.  Watt has received yet another distinctive honor for the immense amount of work that he done in the community, especially for those that need it the most.

Watt’s fundraising of $37 million to help with Hurricane Harvey relief initatives created shock waves around the world; and, because of this, Watt had the opportunity to travel to Monaco to accept the award.

He’s now the recipient of the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award, an honor that is just as distinguished as Walter Payton Man of the Year Award he won just one month ago.  It’s amazing to realize the magnitude of what just transpired.  It goes to show that his brand is not only recognized nationwide but on WORLDWIDE level now.  People, especially Houston Texans fans, take notice to things like this, especially when one has done something that has crossed into uncharted territory.

As I’ve said in the past, that type of fundraising for charity is unprecedented for a sports athlete so it’s obvious that he has turned heads around the globe.

Houston Texans fans — didn’t get to see his speech?  Take a look at it here:

Here’s are some excerpts from his speech that had the most percussion:

"“When Houston went through the hurricane, we saw disaster. We saw devastation. But what I saw after that was hope. I saw something truly special. I saw neighbors, I saw kids, I saw policemen, firefighters, strangers step up to help each other out. I saw people from all over the world donate their money, donate their time, drive in, fly in to help out their fellow citizen. A citizen they may never have met before. A place they may never have been before, but they saw a human struggling, a human in need, and they helped out. I didn’t do anything special. I just gave everyone an opportunity to help. Everybody else did the work.”"

He also mentioned the whole reasoning of why undertook such a daunting task:

"“As athletes we have a great platform. People all over the world watch us, they follow our every move. We need to use that for good. We need to use that to help change the world for the better. “"

I couldn’t have said it better. We all have the ability to make an impact by searching for the greater good in helping one another.  We all live on this planet together, we all breathe the same air and we are all mortal.  Yes, I’m channeling the late and great John F. Kennedy but his impactful quote from such a pivotal speech about urging for peaceful world relations rings true today just as much as it did back in June 1963.

So how was he chosen?

Watt was put on a shortlist from a Media Nominations Panel of more than 100 countries and then the winners were chosen by secret ballot by members of the Laureus Sports World Academy.  He then emerged as the winner of the Sporting Inspiration Award.

Here’s some information about Laureus and what they’re all about according to their Web site:

"“Laureus is a global movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good. The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”"

These awards have been around for nearly the past two decades and it’s certainly notable that the first award recipient was the late Nelson Mandela, one of my greatest idols of all-time and to whom I’ve studied extensively over the years.

By the way, this annual event is

watched by more than 160 countries but it has not yet aired in the United States as it’s expected to do so soon.

Watt will also receive a hand-crafted, Cartier-designed statuette to take home with him.  It will also be a constant reminder of the accomplishments he has made thus far yet acknowledge the work that still has to be done as our beloved city recovers from one of the most devastating storms in recent history.

Next: The peculiarity of Watt's Harvey Fundraiser

For more information about Laureus and what they’re all about, take a look at their Web site here.

In addition, you can follow Laureus on Twitter @LaureusSport as well as Facebook @LaureusSportforGood

Go Texans.