Birthday boy Watson living out his prime-time dreams
September 15, 2017
CINCINNATI -- As a young boy growing up in government-run housing in Gainesville, Ga., Deshaun Watson not only dreamed of playing in the NFL, he felt he had no other option.
"I told everyone I wanted to be an NFL player," Watson said. "They asked me what my backup plan was, and I never had one. I figured that was the only way out."
Watson played well enough in his NFL debut last week to earn the start over veteran Tom Savage for Thursday night's nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Thursday just happened to be Watson's 22nd birthday, too.
"Being able to have my first start on my birthday was pretty emotional," Watson said. "Away game, Thursday night, prime-time."
Watson might be new to the NFL, but he's accustomed to playing on the big stage. At Clemson, Watson played in back-to-back national championship games, winning one. He was the 12th-overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
"I don't really get nervous," Watson said. "Football's football. It's what I've been doing my whole life."
Watson was steady throughout Thursday's game, going 15 of 24 for 125 yards. He was sacked three times and had a 75.9 rating, but did not throw an interception.
In the second quarter, Watson made a play reminiscent of his days at Clemson when he scrambled away from pressure on third-and-15, broke a couple tackles, then raced 49 yards for a touchdown, the only touchdown scored in Thursday's game.
"I was just trying to make a play," he said. "I broke away, found a hole. My receivers and everyone that was downfield did a good job of blocking for me."
Watson also engineered a 66-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that consumed more than six minutes off the clock for a field goal to cap a 13-9 victory.
It's uncertain what the future holds for Watson. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said his decision on the starting quarterback will be made with the best interests of the team in mind.
Houston (1-1) plays at the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in 10 days.
"I'm young in this league," Watson said. "I've only seen so much. To get to the top where I want to be, is going to take time. My reads, timing with the receivers, I'm still learning. It's a work in progress."
September 15, 2017
CINCINNATI -- As a young boy growing up in government-run housing in Gainesville, Ga., Deshaun Watson not only dreamed of playing in the NFL, he felt he had no other option.
"I told everyone I wanted to be an NFL player," Watson said. "They asked me what my backup plan was, and I never had one. I figured that was the only way out."
Watson played well enough in his NFL debut last week to earn the start over veteran Tom Savage for Thursday night's nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Thursday just happened to be Watson's 22nd birthday, too.
"Being able to have my first start on my birthday was pretty emotional," Watson said. "Away game, Thursday night, prime-time."
Watson might be new to the NFL, but he's accustomed to playing on the big stage. At Clemson, Watson played in back-to-back national championship games, winning one. He was the 12th-overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
"I don't really get nervous," Watson said. "Football's football. It's what I've been doing my whole life."
Watson was steady throughout Thursday's game, going 15 of 24 for 125 yards. He was sacked three times and had a 75.9 rating, but did not throw an interception.
In the second quarter, Watson made a play reminiscent of his days at Clemson when he scrambled away from pressure on third-and-15, broke a couple tackles, then raced 49 yards for a touchdown, the only touchdown scored in Thursday's game.
"I was just trying to make a play," he said. "I broke away, found a hole. My receivers and everyone that was downfield did a good job of blocking for me."
Watson also engineered a 66-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that consumed more than six minutes off the clock for a field goal to cap a 13-9 victory.
It's uncertain what the future holds for Watson. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said his decision on the starting quarterback will be made with the best interests of the team in mind.
Houston (1-1) plays at the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in 10 days.
"I'm young in this league," Watson said. "I've only seen so much. To get to the top where I want to be, is going to take time. My reads, timing with the receivers, I'm still learning. It's a work in progress."
