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Deshaun Watson donates first NFL paycheck to victims of Hurricane Harvey

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson after the Patriots defeated the Texans 36-33 at Gillette Stadium last Sunday in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson after the Patriots defeated the Texans 36-33 at Gillette Stadium last Sunday in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
By Matt Winkeljohn
Sept 28, 2017

While growing up in Gainesville, Ga., Deshaun Watson widely was recognized as precocious, and not just for sake of his athletic abilities. The Texans’ rookie quarterback kept paying forward when he donated his first NFL paycheck to victims of Hurricane Harvey, as seen here.

Watson, who led Clemson to the college football national championship last season before Houston drafted him in the first round last spring, took over as the Texans’ starter in the second week, led the team to a victory, and nearly helped Houston beat the defending Super Bowl-champion Patriots last weekend in New England.

With his first NFL paycheck -- pro football players receive their salaries in 17 paychecks over the regular-season schedule -- Watson opted to help fellow Texans employees who were blasted by Harvey and its aftermath.

With regard to giving, Watson said, “If you can, you must.”

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