JJ Watt's rise from awkward skinny teenager to superstar of an NFL team has been well documented, but it's a story worth revisiting often because of the lessons it can teach players of all ages facing adversity.
Watt was a two-star prospect coming out of high school and signed as a tight end with Central Michigan. But as a kid growing up, Watt always dreamed of playing at Wisconsin, so he left Central Michigan and walked on at Wisconsin in 2008, earning a scholarship by the fall.
We know the rest of the story. Watt starred for the Badgers for a few seasons, terrorizing Big Ten quarterbacks before being drafted in the first round by the Texans in 2011. In the years that have followed, Watt has become the face of the franchise, and one of the best players in the NFL.
Yesterday, I came across this article being shared among a group of coaches that captured my attention. The title of the piece: JJ Watt's 8 Rules on How to be the Best Athlete You Can Be.
Here are the 8 pieces of advice that Watt shares. Every single one of them are worth sharing with your team.
- Stay after practice to do extra sprints and stretches
- Hit the books
- Eat the right things
- Come together as a team
- Take the right path. It's not cool to go against what's right
- Ask yourself, "Why not me?"
- Lift other people up. Don't be "that guy"
- Make sacrifices
With off season work outs upon us, these are some great messages to share from an icon that your players can relate to.