9781422277225

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Aaron Rodgers Antonio Brown DrewBrees J.J. Watt Julio Jones Rob Gronkowski RussellWilson

Tom Brady Von Miller

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

MASON CREST

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4071-7

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4067-0 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7722-5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Morgan, Joe L., author. Title: J.J. Watt / Joe L. Morgan. Description: Broomall, Pennsylvania : Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc., [2018] | Series: Gridiron greats: Pro football’s best players | Includes webography. | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018020757 (print) | LCCN 2018022746 (ebook) | ISBN 9781422277225 (eBook) | ISBN 9781422240717 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422240670 (series) Subjects: LCSH: Watt, J. J., 1989—-Juvenile literature. | Football players—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV939.W362 (ebook) | LCC GV939.W362 M67 2018 (print) | DDC 796.332092 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018020757 Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Interior and cover design: Jana Rade, impact studios Production: Michelle Luke

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Contents

Further Reading . . . . . . . . . 74 Internet Resources . . . . . . . 75 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . 79 Educational Video Links & Author Bio . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . .7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . . 21 Chapter 3: On the Field . . . . . . 37 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . 47 Chapter 5: Off the Field . . . . . . 59 Series Glossary of Key Terms . . 72

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND dynasty – a powerful group, teamor family that maintains its leadership position for a considerable time preeminent – more important, skillful, or successful than others; better than others solo – a performance or action in which the performer has no partner or associate versatility – the quality or state of having many uses or being able to do many different kinds of things

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Chapter 1

Greatest Moments

J.J. WATT’S NFL CAREER Justin James (“J.J.”) Watt was born March 22, 1989, in Waukesha, WI, (north of Milwaukee, the state’s largest city) to Connie and John Watt. Watt is part of a NFL player dynasty , with brothers Derek (Fullback, Los Angeles Chargers) and Trent Jordan—“T.J.”—(Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers) also playing in the league. Watt is one of the most dynamic defensive players to come into the league in a long time. He played two years for the University of Wisconsin (after transferring from Central Michigan University) where he established himself as a preeminent pass rusher. Watt was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Houston Texans with the 11th pick overall and immediately began to establish himself as a force of nature.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

J.J. WATT’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Watt has played his entire NFL career for the Houston Texans, who drafted him number 11 overall in 2011. For his career, Watt has sacked the quarterback from his position at defensive end 76 times. He is responsible for 310 tackles and also intercepted a pass that he returned 80 yards for a touchdown in a game. He has set himself apart from the other fifteen defensive ends drafted in 2011 and has placed himself in a class among the greatest DEs of all-time, including Reggie White, Deacon Jones, Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, and Bruce Smith. Some of the highlights of Watt’s career includes: • Winner of the Bert Bell Award, 2014, presented to the NFL Player of the Year. • 74.5 sacks (2011–2015) are the second most in NFL history for a player’s first five seasons (Hall of Famer Reggie White had 81 sacks in his first five NFL seasons). • Scored 2 defensive touchdowns in his seven-year career, including an interception return, and fumble recovery. • Has scored 2 offensive touchdowns as a declared eligible receiver in 2014. • Has been to four NFL Pro Bowls and named to the NFL All-Pro team four times. • Has played in 88 regular season games, with 310 tackles, 76 sacks, and an interception return for an 80-yard touchdown. • Has played in five playoff games in his career, recording 17 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 interception.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE KEY MOMENTS IN THE STANDOUT CAREER OF J.J. WATT DURING HIS TIME IN THE NFL SO FAR: Watt’s Greatest Career Moments

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Watt’s First Three+ Sack Game In the season where J.J. Watt first recorded 20+ sacks, Watt turned in an incredible Thanksgiving Day performance against the host Detroit Lions. The three sacks J.J. Watt had against the Lions helped lead the Texans to a 34—31 victory for their tenth victory of the season en route to the team’s second straight playoff appearance.

J.J. Watt doesn’t take long to make his presence felt in this November 22, 2012, Thanksgiving matchup against the Detroit Lions.Watt makes a solo sack on QB Matt Stafford on the very first play, the first of three sacks he recorded for the game.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Watt’s First Career NFL Sack In his third game as a pro football player, Watt faced the New Orleans Saints. Playing against future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees on September 25, 2011, Watt was able to gain an advantage and bring Brees to the ground for a 9-yard loss, recording the first of his NFL sacks in the process (beginning at the 1:59 mark in the video).

Watt, during a media appearance in his fifth year (2015), describes his rookie year and how he got to QB Drew Brees for his first NFL sack on September 25, 2011.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Watt’s First Career NFL Interception Not only does J.J. Watt strike fear in the hearts of QBs by wreaking havoc in the backfield, he showed another side of his skill set during a game against the Buffalo Bills on September 28, 2014. The Bills were facing a first-and-five play and preparing to score when Bills QB E.J. Manuel threw to his right and into the waiting arms of Watt. Watt caught the pass for his first career interception, and took the ball 80 yards for a Houston touchdown, Watt’s third score as a pro.

A 3rd-quarter play against the Buffalo Bills on September 28, 2014, saw Watt intercept Bills QB E.J. Manuel for an 80-yard touchdown.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Watt’s First Offensive NFL Touchdown in the Regular Season

Watt got to show some of his versatility as an NFL player during the 2014 season. During a game against the Oakland Raiders on September 14, 2014, Watt was declared an eligible receiver on a goal line play in the game’s 1st quarter. A quick slant found Watt wide open in the back of the end zone for six points. It’s not surprising that Watt has such soft hands as he played tight end at Central Michigan University before transferring to Wisconsin to become a defensive end.

J.J. Watt scores the first points in a Week 2 matchup during the 2014 NFL season against the Oakland Raiders, September 14, 2014.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Watt’s First Fumble Recovery Touchdown Two weeks after scoring his first defensive touchdown (and second for the 2014 season), Watt picked up a loose ball and ran 45 yards for a score in a game against the Indianapolis Colts, bringing the Texans to within six points in the 4th quarter. The touchdown was Watt’s third for the season and first score off of a fumble recovery.

J.J. Watt showing off his best dance moves in the end zone after running a 4th-quarter fumble recovery against the Indianapolis Colts 45 yards back for a touchdown on October 9, 2014.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players