DAZN/SPOX: Deshaun, it’s nice to welcome you here in Germany – and I can promise that it’s usually not that cold! Is this your first time here in Germany?
Deshaun Watson: That’s it, yes – it’s my first time here.
DAZN/SPOX: The most important question first: How’s your rehab going? You seem to be in good shape again – how are you?
Watson: The rehab is going great, the knee is doing very, very well. I’m on course to return before the start of the season and feel much stronger. I try to get better every day.
DAZN/SPOX: A few months ago I saw an interview in which you said that football naturally offers you the opportunity to play in the NFL, but also the chance to travel. Is this your first chance?
Watson: In fact, yes. I have a full offseason in which I’m a little on my own. Before that I was in college, where you also have courses. For me, this is the first time I’ve really been outside the country – I want to try to take every opportunity to look at the world and meet different people, and of course to build a global fan base.
DAZN/SPOX: You grew up in Georgia and here’s a story about Warrick Dunn that maybe not every reader knows: Warrick Dunn is a former Arizona running back who bought you and your family a house. Is that correct, and can you tell us how that happened?
Watson: Warrick created Habitat for Humanity, a charitable foundation where families can qualify for a house, and then the foundation builds it for these families. We did, Warrick Dunn also got us some furniture and food. When he did it – of course we got the house, we knew that – but when he did it, it took it all to another level. We didn’t have to buy any furniture and everything was practically brand-new.
DAZN/SPOX: When you came to the NFL, you gave your first paycheck to Texans employees, is that correct?
Watson: At the beginning of the season a hurricane – Hurricane Harvey – Texas hit. He flooded the whole city and destroyed an incredible number of houses that people had built over the years. We had three ladies working in the cafeteria who always had a smile on their lips and never complained. I then heard their story and so I wanted to help them by sharing my first paycheck among them. So I wanted to surprise them and help them to land on their feet again.
DAZN/SPOX: Let’s go back to the start of your NFL career. They were very successful in college, won a National Championship there and were awarded the MVP. Then you entered the draft – and were selected at position 12. Did you expect that, or did you feel you were underestimated?
Watson: Not directly underestimated because I knew I would be selected in the first round. I didn’t know exactly where, and of course everyone wants to be picked up with the number 1 pick or in the top 10. But in my situation, I just wanted to be with the team that I fit best. Where I can play my way and use my skills to have a long career there. I had the feeling that Houston might be the perfect place for me – but back then they were still in position 25. If they could manage to trade up and get me, it would be perfect – and that’s the way it happened. I met them a week before the draft and we talked about it. But I didn’t feel underestimated, no. I relied on my skills and knew I could be productive anywhere. But of course I wanted to find myself in the ideal situation.
DAZN/SPOX: You’ve had a lot of stats in college, you’ve been a double Heisman finalist and twice in the Championship Game. How much did that help you start your NFL career? After all, you were used to playing in front of a big audience.
Watson: Of course this has given me a lot of experience, just as much self-confidence and the belief that I can deliver at the high level of the NFL. The fact that I was in two National Championship Games and had longer seasons than most guys and twice a Heisman finalist put me in a situation where everyone recognized me and all eyes were on me. Being able to deal with it was the perfect starting point for me to go to the NFL at a young age and lead a professional team there.
DAZN/SPOX: So the Texans have drafted you – take us along: What were the first steps after you knew you were playing for Houston? As outsiders we have no idea – what do we have to do next? One has to take care of a home, for example…
Watson: I was at the draft in Philadelphia, then you get the call and learn that you will be engaged. You sign, do interviews and then you fly to the city of the team that drafted you – in my case Houston. Afterwards you visit the team facilities, meet all the coaches and the coaching staff. You spend two days there, with your own family, and get used to the new surroundings. Afterwards we flew back to Georgia, where I spent the rest of the week with my family. After that, it actually started with football: All rookies arrive over the weekend, followed by OTAs. Meanwhile, I was still at the hotel. I only started looking for a house after that, around the middle of June. At the end of July I found one and moved in. Then the training camp and afterwards the season started.
DAZN/SPOX: Did players like DeAndre Hopkins contact you before coming to Houston?
Watson: Yes. In fact, I talked to DeAndre Hopkins before the draft and I had hoped to get to Houston before the draft. When I was drafted, many of the boys contacted me – DeAndre, J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, Nate Martin, Will Fuller, Lamar Miller – they all contacted me and told me: “Welcome to the family, now let’s get started!”
DAZN/SPOX: You say”Welcome to the family” – can you say something about how close you really are within the team?
Watson: That’s an enormous factor. Of course I can’t speak for other teams, but for our team and our organization definitely: We are very close. We are still comparatively young, but everyone supports everyone, nobody is selfish. Everyone wants to win games, have fun and reach the big goal. To achieve this, we need great chemistry and very good relationships with each other.
DAZN/SPOX: So when you came to Houston, you didn’t have a house yet – but you had to learn the Playbook right away. How did that work?
Watson: The Playbook is very difficult. It’s a bit like studying medicine and having to understand everything in a very short time.
DAZN/SPOX: How much bigger is the Playbook compared to college?
Watson: It’s much bigger. I’d say a college playbook is about half the size.
Page 1: Watson about his past, the draft, Hopkins, first steps in Houston
Page 2: Watson about the QB exchange, the injury, team spirit and his top 5 QBs