J.J. Watt Mic'd Up from Titans Game

[Keith]

EDIT: The video on YouTube has been removed. It is visible on the official site at the following link:
http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Micd-Up--JJ-Watt-wired-vs-Titans/5d07c2b4-0313-4903-8b56-dbb11c512210

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There is an uncut stretch in there from his strip sack fumble recovery to the touchdown reception that is just pure cinema verite not to be missed.

[Arky]

Watching it live, I actually laughed out loud when JJ faced the crowd and roared. It was such a ....gladiator-in-the-Roman-Coliseum moment.... eheh...;)

[HPF Bob]

The NFL has blocked the video citing copyright issues.

[Keith]

Yeah, not surprised it was taken down. I updated the OP with the link to the official site, which has since posted the video.

What is surprising is there is a backlash forming outside of Texans fans against Watt... apparently among tools who have no idea what they are seeing. Everyone knows Watt dominated a third string guy and J.J. is talking smack in this game. I suppose Watt haters are kinda like Peyton haters... so much success and exposure is bound to bring 'em out.

[HPF Bob]

Man, I wanted to hear Mettenberger's shoulder pop but I guess that was too gruesome.

It's fun watching him but I have a difficult time thinking a defensive player on a .500 team is going to get an MVP award over Brady and Rodgers.

They should run some sort of a fake off that goal line play to Watt some time otherwise it will eventually get stuffed - maybe run what looks like a sweep in J.J.'s direction and have Fitz do a bootleg the other way - maybe with a TE option. I think Fitz could walk in.

[chuck]

What is surprising is there is a backlash forming outside of Texans fans against Watt... apparently among tools who have no idea what they are seeing. Everyone knows Watt dominated a third string guy and J.J. is talking smack in this game. I suppose Watt haters are kinda like Peyton haters... so much success and exposure is bound to bring 'em out.

I've begun to see some backlash among Texans fans, too, for what they take to be douche-y behavior. Me, I don't see it. Is he over-exposed? Sure. But he's quite possibly the single best defensive player in the league. So if he wants to do commercials for everyone that comes knocking why would I care?

[nunusguy]

I've begun to see some backlash among Texans fans, too, for what they take to be douche-y behavior.

He likes the limelight that's for sure, the guys got a very healthy ego and when it's lit up he becomes a real hotdog. But I thought the whole thing with the selfie when he sacked Metenburger in Nashville was just a bit too much theater. But ultimately Watt can back it up because he can "walk the walk" in addition to "talking the talk".

[painekiller]

I've begun to see some backlash among Texans fans, too, for what they take to be douche-y behavior. Me, I don't see it. Is he over-exposed? Sure. But he's quite possibly the single best defensive player in the league. So if he wants to do commercials for everyone that comes knocking why would I care?

To add to your point, I read that the commercial money goes straight to his foundation. Not sure what the foundation does with it. But he formed his foundation while still in college. He knew he wanted to help others.

[Keith]

Not sure what the foundation does with it.
http://jjwfoundation.org/our-progress/

He's really spreading the money around, mostly to middle schools, which is kinda cool. School of thought there on pooling your money into one meaningful chunk vs. spreading it around, but I imagine the foundation has touched more lives doing it like this for example:

...

Jackson Intermediate School received $18,805.86 to update their football uniforms and equipment.
Jane Long Academy received $5,087.50 for football uniforms and equipment.
J.P. Elder Middle School received $2,823.86 for volleyball and basketball equipment.
Kipp Liberation School received $40,000 to purchase a 15-passenger van along with equipment and uniforms for soccer programs as well as to improve its athletic fields. We’re proud kids will no longer be turned away for lack of equipment, uniforms or transportation needs.
LLMS Cheerkats (Lynn Lucas Middle School) received $3,847.85 for new uniforms.
Kipp Spirit School received $20,000 to purchase new equipment and uniforms for baseball, softball and track as well as a storage shed.The school is also in the process of purchasing a baseball-batting cage, pitching machine and football equipment.
Matagorda ISD received $1,065.09 to purchase basketball, volleyball, softball and football equipment.
Ortiz Middle School received $1,949.50 to purchase yoga mats and uniforms for its tennis programs.
Park View Intermediate received $6,470.20 for football equipment.
Pilgrim Academy received $5,429.58 to purchase brand new softball equipment including the fencing for the backstop and uniforms so it can add softball to the after school program options.

...

[HPF Bob]

People who gain sudden wealth often start a foundation because the donations to a non-profit foundation are tax deductible. The player can chair or co-chair the foundation so they are directing where the money goes while turning around and telling the government that the money was "given to charity".

Frankly, anyone who makes a lot more money than they could possibly need (all those commercials and endorsements can add up to more money than their player contract) is smart to set up a foundation. True, you don't keep the money but you get to portray yourself as a philanthropist or humanitarian, reduce your tax hit and it's money you really won't miss.

[chuck]

People who gain sudden wealth often start a foundation because the donations to a non-profit foundation are tax deductible. The player can chair or co-chair the foundation so they are directing where the money goes while turning around and telling the government that the money was "given to charity".

Frankly, anyone who makes a lot more money than they could possibly need (all those commercials and endorsements can add up to more money than their player contract) is smart to set up a foundation. True, you don't keep the money but you get to portray yourself as a philanthropist or humanitarian, reduce your tax hit and it's money you really won't miss.

I don't understand your point. He could keep the money he receives and pay income tax on it at the standard rate. He could then do whatever he wanted with it, you know, buy as many Lamborghinis as you can fit in a Pearland garage, busloads of hookers, all the H.E.B. beef he can store in his chest freezer...

Instead he gives what appears to be a significant chunk of it to junior high school football teams. For no reason other than he fking feels like it. Sure, he gets a deduction. But it's not like he comes out ahead financially.

Again, he could take his endorsement money, give the 35% or 40% or whatever it is to the feds, buy cars, girls, bling, the Sopranos box set in HD, who knows what. But he doesn't. I have no idea why people want to bitch about him or marginalize his charitable activity.

Honestly, the vibe I get from a lot of the haters, especially the Arian haters, is simple envy.

[HPF Bob]

Depends on how much of a tax deduction you get, Chuck. I'm no accountant. All I know is that a lot of wealthy people (particularly those who've made wealth quickly) start foundations and use it to be generous citizens as well as take a huge tax deduction on what they give. Whether you come out better than just keeping the money and paying more in taxes, I don't know. It could be just as simple as he'd rather be deciding where his money goes instead of the feds wasting it on crap he might disagree with.

I know if I won the lottery or came into big money somehow, it would be something I would do.

[painekiller]

People who gain sudden wealth often start a foundation because the donations to a non-profit foundation are tax deductible. The player can chair or co-chair the foundation so they are directing where the money goes while turning around and telling the government that the money was "given to charity".

Frankly, anyone who makes a lot more money than they could possibly need (all those commercials and endorsements can add up to more money than their player contract) is smart to set up a foundation. True, you don't keep the money but you get to portray yourself as a philanthropist or humanitarian, reduce your tax hit and it's money you really won't miss.

Bob, I'm not sure I get the point of this post either, JJ set up his foundation before his junior year in college. He was not on anyone's radar as a 1st round pick.

He started out selling the wrist bands which say "Dream Big Work Hard" . I have bought a few and given them to children in my family. Now he can do endorsements to build the pot up faster. BTW his mom was running the foundation while he was in college and into his rookie year here. I'm not sure if she is running it now or what.

[painekiller]

http://jjwfoundation.org/our-progress/

He's really spreading the money around, mostly to middle schools, which is kinda cool. School of thought there on pooling your money into one meaningful chunk vs. spreading it around, but I imagine the foundation has touched more lives doing it like this for example:

Thanks for the info.

[Keith]

New version of the video, a couple different cuts, some narration.

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Sound-FX-JJ-Watt-vs-Tennessee/93d1fefc-5743-4c17-8054-801f9aaf63bd

[Keith]

Watt has a fan in Bill Simmons.

Don’t sleep on Houston’s assistant coach coming over to Watt on the sideline and saying, “Keep wreaking havoc out there, baby!” and then cackling maniacally like he’s Ivan Drago’s trainer circa 1985. I loved that part. How many football players are so overpowering that they make their coaches cackle maniacally?

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-week-14-mailbag/

[Nconroe]

Nice INT by Swearinger, whoops wrong topic. And Watt having another good day. wooo! wooo! 3 sacks today so far.