J.J. Watt spent the majority of weekend in Nashville at the Country Music Awards Festival, but also made headlines during his brief time in Houston -although the latter isn’t much of a surprise.
At CMA Festival, Watt was all over the place helping out host Erin Andrews, talking with famous country artists, or just simply enjoying the music. The NFL star then returned to Houston and wanted to switch his gears from country to basketball.
Anyone shooting hoops in Houston today?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 11, 2016
The next thing Damon Cormier Sr. and his son Damon Jr. know, they were playing basketball with the Houston Texans’ star defender at Root Memorial Square Park outside the Toyota Center.
“He just walked up with a ball like anyone else,” the 17-year-old Cormier, Jr., told the Houston Chronicle. “We were all like, ‘Is that really J.J. Watt?’ Then, we just started playing.”
“J.J. was the No. 1 pick, for sure,” Cormier Sr. said.
Put bro on skates but my assist to @JJWatt @Chron_MattYoung @HoustonChron @ had a great time pic.twitter.com/OukIvMBlEO
— Damo (@damocormier) June 12, 2016
Bro huge💪🏼💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/XCs25tMXwi
— Damo (@damocormier) June 12, 2016
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn’t just stop at Root Memorial Square. He also went to a local fire station.
“One of our guy’s girlfriends saw J.J.’s tweet about playing ball and responded to him, telling him that the boys at the 9 are always playing basketball,” firefighter Paul Portis said. “He just pulled up and had a basketball with him, and said, ‘You guys ready for some hoops?’ I think everyone’s jaw just dropped.”
Watt’s big weekend in Houston and Nashville didn’t stop there. As part of the Copa America tournament, Mexico is set to face Venezuela at the home of the Texans, NRG Stadium, later Monday. Over the weekend, Watt met with the Mexican National Team while it trained in Houston.
One of the more famous players not just on the team, but in all of soccer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez began to “fanboy” out over Watt. Chicharito, 28, got a signed Watt jersey and wasn’t necessarily acting like a fellow world renowned athlete around Watt.
Hey, @miseleccionmx, let us introduce you to @JJWatt.
We think you'll like him. #SomosTexans
MUST SEE VIDEO.https://t.co/Ybi1SQRVRn
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 13, 2016
Un sueño hecho realidad… Gracias @JJWatt !!!
A dream come true… Thank you @JJWatt !!! pic.twitter.com/ruaKBaEsZO
— Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (@CH14_) June 13, 2016
Time will tell if Chicharito can maybe score a goal on Watt’s home turf in honor of possibly his favorite NFL player.
[Houston Chronicle, NBC Sports]
