GREENVILLE, S.C. – Clemson quarterback and Gainesville native Deshaun Watson was honored this week by Habitat for Humanity International, who presented the football standout with its inaugural Next Generation Award.
The Next Generation Award honors young people who grew up in a Habitat house for embodying the qualities of determination, commitment, dedication and citizenship and for setting an example for other Habitat families.
The award was presented to Watson by Larry Gluth, Senior Vice President with Habitat International, during the 30th Anniversary Founder’s Day Event of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County.
Monroe Free, Habitat Greenville’s president and CEO, said, “It’s an honor to take part in celebrating Deshaun Watson’s achievement. Habitat for Humanity is about more than just houses. We are in the business of changing lives, and Deshaun Watson is a shining example of this.”
Watson is a Heisman candidate and amongst the early favorites for ACC Player of the Year consideration. He has spoken often about growing up in government housing in Gainesville, where he starred for Gainesville High, leading the Red Elephants to the 2012 Class AAAAA title. Watson’s life changed when he brought home information about Habitat for Humanity from a church Halloween party when he was in elementary school. He gave it to his mother, Deann, who became inspired to improve her family’s life, and began the application process for a Habitat home.
After their acceptance into the Habitat for Humanity program, Deann had to complete homeowner education classes and perform sweat equity. Deshaun joined in, passing out water bottles, fetching materials and getting tools for older volunteers, as he was too young for the harder work. He says it taught him lessons that he has used on the football field ever since. The Habitat home, which was furnished through the foundation of former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn, gave him a sense of place. It had a backyard. It was safe. It was home.
“It inspired me to do great things,” he said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/337930/gainesville-native-clemson-qb-watson-honored-by-habitat-for-humanity