J.J. Watt offers to pay the funeral of a fan's grandfather

J.J. Watt has offered to help out a fan in need.

The 33-year-old defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals contacted a Twitter follower on Wednesday after she announced that she was selling a pair of sneakers and a Watt Texans jersey.

"They are great shoes, I'm only selling because we are raising money for my grandpas funeral," a woman named Jennifer Simpson wrote on Twitter Wednesday evening.

Watt, who played for the Houston Texans from 2011 to 2020, responded to Simpson and offered to help out himself rather than letting a fan of his sell their items.

"Don't sell your shoes and jersey, we'll help with the funeral," Watt responded on Twitter. "I'm sorry for your loss," responded Watt.

Simpson responded to Watt's offer on Twitter by writing, "I freaking love you man. It's been a hard year for me, and this last month has been hard since the death," she wrote. "I wish I could tell you my story."

J.J. Watt's charitable actions

The five-time Pro-Bowl defensive end, Watt has a history of being charitable. While playing for Houston in 2017, he was named the NFL's Walter Peyton Man of the Year. According to the NFL website, the honor, which was first presented in 1970, "recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field."

Also according to the NFL website, the prize includes $250,000 that the winners can give to a charity of their choice. Watt used GoFundMe to raise money in 2017 to assist Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, ultimately raising just over $37 million.

Watt made the funeral arrangements for 10 Texas high school students and teachers who died in a mass shooting in May 2018. Additionally, according to The Sporting News, Watt agreed in November 2021 to pay for the funerals of six people who died when a driver plowed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

It's unknown if Watt and Simpson have discussed his offer in person.

After playing in just seven games due to injury in the previous season, Watt anticipates starting the 2022 NFL season with the Cardinals. Watt made 10 solo tackles, participated in 16 combination tackles, and recorded one sack in those seven games.

Adblock test (Why?)