2017 SUCCESS Achiever of the Year: J.J. Watt

UPDATED: September 18, 2024
PUBLISHED: January 2, 2018

 

“Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.”

 

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, 28, is one of the NFL’s best defensive players, but it’s what Watt did off the field that makes him a true success. On Aug. 27, 2017, Watt posted a video to Twitter asking his followers to donate any amount they could to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Within 24 hours, more than $500,000 had been donated, so Watt increased his goal to $1 million. Over the next several days, millions more were raised, and Watt increased the goal each time. In total, Watt’s efforts raised more than $37 million to help those affected by Harvey. “When times are the toughest, humanity stands at its strongest,” Watt said in a statement. “The world is a better place when we all take care of each other.”

2017 Achiever of the Year: J.J. Watt

Read more 2017 SUCCESS Achievers of the Year stories:


2017 SUCCESS Achievers of the Year2017 SUCCESS Achievers of the Year2017 SUCCESS Achievers of the Year2017 SUCCESS Achievers of the Year


This article originally appeared in the February 2018 issue of SUCCESS magazine.

Jesus Jimenez is a staff writer for Dallas Morning News. He eats, breathes and sleeps Texas Rangers baseball. He also enjoys running, traveling and buying cool socks. 

Oops!

You’ve reached your limit of free
articles for this month!

Subscribe today and read to your heart’s content!

(plus get access to hundreds of resources designed
to help you excel in life and business)

Just

50¢
per day

!

Unlock a fifth article for free!

Plus, get access to daily inspiration, weekly newsletters and podcasts, and occasional updates from us.

By signing up you are also added to SUCCESS® emails. You can easily unsubscribe at anytime. By clicking above, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Register

Get unlimited access to SUCCESS®
(+ a bunch of extras)! Learn more.

Let's Set Your Password

Oops!

The exclusive article you’re trying to view is for subscribers only.

Subscribe today and read to your heart’s content!

(plus get access to hundreds of resources designed
to help you excel in life and business)

Just

50¢
per day

!