Building homes and character

GREENVILLE — Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson wasted no time utilizing his stature as a football star to help benefit others, and Tuesday was honored for his off-the-field endeavors.

The 21-year-old was named one of only 25 players from across the country selected to the 25th anniversary Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team for his “dedication and commitment to serving the community.”

Watson was honored in surprise fashion Tuesday as Clemson’s entire team showed up to help build two Habitat for Humanity homes and do landscaping for six others in Greenville. It’s an annual community service tradition coach Dabo Swinney introduced in just his second week after initially being named interim coach in 2008. HFH focuses on providing shelter and homes to underprivileged families in low-income government housing.

Watson thought he was just showing up like his teammates to supply a little elbow grease in helping construct a house for a young mother, but prior to the start of the work, he was presented the award. His mother, Deann Watson, and aunt, Sonia Watson, surprised him by showing up to watch him get recognized.

“I’m just happy to have them up here to be with me while I receive the award,” Watson said. “And just to give back … we know what it’s like to have an opportunity to have a Habitat home and be able to start our own foundation.”

Watson was a 9-year-old in Gainesville, Ga., when his mother found a slip of paper promoting Habitat for Humanity among his Halloween candy following a church trick-or-treat event. At the time the family was living in government housing. Required to put in hours helping to build other homes before becoming eligible for one of her own, Deann Watson labored over 200 hours in addition to working two jobs and eventually was granted a Habitat home for herself and her four children.

When Watson was 10 his family gathered to receive the key to their new place and were surprised by former NFL running back Warrick Dunn. His foundation furnished the home and left an even deeper positive mark on Watson, determined to give back as best he could as he grew older.

“That’s my purpose in life,” Watson said. “God gave me this platform for a reason, to inspire others and brighten up other people’s days and serve others. That’s why I play football and am able to do it. I don’t (perform public service) for the popularity, I just do it out of the kindness of my heart and to be able to serve others. To help others and inspire people to be able to do things so they can be able to fulfill their dreams and goals.”

A sign in the front yard of one home under construction read, “Welcome home, Watley Family. Habitat Home No. 339, next generation house in honor of Deshaun Watson.”

Seeing his name attached to the home, Watson said, “It’s a blessing, and an honor just to be able to know my name is a part of it. It can lead onto greater things in more generations and I’m just happy for this family. To be able to bless them and be a part of what they’re about to experience in their new life and their new home, for them to be able to start a new foundation.”

Watson continued, “It’s going to be awesome just to see their smiles and hear their story and what they’re going through and just encourage them to be a blessing to others and great things are going to happen.”

Watson has been a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity and has used his celebrity status as a popular local face of the organization. He’s an active volunteer and advocate with the Anderson chapter, regularly doing speaking engagements to raise awareness and inspire volunteers. Last year, he was given HFH’s inaugural international Next Generation Award, recognizing individuals who grew up in a Habitat home and went on to set an example for other Habitat families.

“I tell people all the time, (Watson) is a great human being that just happens to be a great quarterback,” Swinney said. “He’s a breath of fresh air in today’s society. He gets it. I’ve never seen a guy more driven and willing to be the best he can on and off the field. He understands the platform he has. He can’t be all things to all people, but he goes above and beyond in trying to bless others.”