SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

NFL player donates first game check to lucky stadium employees

Sep 29, 2017, 9:15 AM | Updated: Oct 1, 2024, 10:30 am

Deshaun Watson. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)...

Deshaun Watson. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Houston Texans rookie Deshaun Watson did something unexpected with his first game check — he gave it away.

CBS estimates it would be about $27,000. CBS reports Watson gave it to three employees at the stadium. As we all know, parts of Houston were destroyed by Hurricane Harvey, and Watson found out that those three employees were especially affected by the flooding.

So, he split his first game check three ways and surprised the three women at work. The video of the gift was posted online.

“What y’all do for us every day and never complain … I really appreciate y’all. So, I wanted to give my first game check to y’all to help y’all out in some type of way so here you guys go,” Watson said.

I’m not sure if the women knew it was coming or if being handed a check by a large NFL player is so stunning you’re rendered motionless, but they were very taken aback. One woman asked to give him a hug. He obliged.

“I hope it helps you get you back on your feet. And anything else y’all need I’m always here to help,” Watson told them.

I’m glad some NFL players don’t “just stick to sports.” We wouldn’t have these powerful moments otherwise. And, as it turns out, Watson knows a lot about the impact of kindness. According to ESPN, Habitat for Humanity at one point built a house for Watson and his family.

You can hear Colleen O’Brien’s “Daily Dose of Kindness” segment every morning at 7:30 a.m. on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM

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