BTN LiveBIG: JJ Watt dreams big

At this point in his life, JJ Watt doesn?t really need more publicity.

The Houston Texans defensive end and Wisconsin alum has achieved larger-than-life status. Watt is the star of this season of HBO?s ?Hard Knocks,? and he?s probably the most well-known player in the NFL after Tom Brady. Today, the media discusses his love life and the celebrities he hangs out with as much as whether or not he?ll lead the Texans to the top of the division this year.

But behind the flash and fame that surrounds his life today, this son of Waukesha, Wis., is guided by a simple motto: dream big, work hard. And he?s made sure the Justin J. Watt Foundation, the charitable organization he founded to help kids have the resources they need to play sports and build character, operates according to that principle.

Watt traces the origins of his foundation back to his childhood. He spent his formative years taking part in some great after-school programs, which he said opened doors for him. He wanted to provide those kinds of experiences to kids who lived in places that weren?t as well off as his hometown.

?The main reason I decided to start my foundation is because I realized that I was very fortunate growing up,? Watt said. ?I had opportunities presented to me. I wanted to find a way to give back and to try and give kids the opportunities to have success.

?My biggest thing is I don't feel like kids should be punished for lack of budget on the adults? part or things like that,? he added. ?I feel like kids should get opportunities, so whatever [I] can do to help create opportunities for kids to be successful - that?s the goal.?

Specifically, the mission of the foundation is to provide resources and support for athletics programs that serve children in middle school. The idea isn?t to find and develop the next JJ Watt, but rather to cultivate traits of ?accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic and perseverance, while in a safe and supervised environment with their peers.?

Watt officially started the organization in 2011, during his junior year at Wisconsin. He was well-known at the time, but hardly the sports superstar he is today. What he lacked in fame, though, he made up for in determination, and he got lots of guidance from members of the university?s athletics department.

That first year, he raised $20,000 - not bad for a student-athlete. But he set his sights on an eventual goal of $1 million, and he passed that milestone this year. (Watt has since adjusted that objective up to $1.5 million.)

With those funds, the foundation has helped youth athletics programs at more than 150 schools throughout Wisconsin and Texas, Watt?s two home states. And that support has included everything from snacks for participants to vans that cart them to games and other events.

In addition to Watt?s personal support, the organization gets funding from an annual charity softball game - the most recent of which was played in Sugarland, Texas, and involved many of Watt?s Texans teammates - and a 5K run/walk, as well as the sale of branded merchandise.

Though he?s reached the rarified heights of superstardom, he?s still humble in his knowledge that it takes a team to get things done, whether that involves winning a football game or helping thousands of kids find their way to a brighter future.

?I?m so thankful for all the great volunteers, the staff that we have and the unbelievable fans who have helped support the foundation,? he said. ?That?s incredible to me.?

While Watt is pleased that his foundation has hit its financial goals and attracted so much support, it?s not what motivates him at the end of the day. When asked what part of the foundation is most important to him, he doesn?t hesitate.

[btn-post-package]?The lives we?ve been able to change,? he said. ?We?ve been very fortunate to have raised a lot of money and been able to help a lot of kids. It?s been truly incredible to read some of the stories, to see some of the photos, and to just understand that you?re actually helping to change people?s lives.?

By Alec Weine