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

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by chuck

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]

Originally Posted by painekiller

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Keith

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-medi...4-801f9aaf63bd

[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.