J.J. Watt hasn’t exactly taken it easy since retiring.
The soon-to-be Houston Texans Ring of Honor inductee has been busy taking care of his son, Koa, alongside his wife Kealia Ohai Watt in addition to new ventures such as investing in the Burnley FC of the premier league. Despite the broad scope of these new, post-football activities, the Watts have not lost sight of Houston and how much it meant to them.
Buy Texans TicketsThere are an estimated 724,000 food insecure individuals in Harris County including 23.6% of children.
Here’s how the Watt’s are partnering with @Fritolay to help provide meals for students and to also play a little football #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/mrdz7NQodn
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) September 6, 2023
The Texans Wire was able to speak to the couple on Wednesday about their new partnership with Frito-Lay and Cheetos to help combat food insecurity in the community. According to Texas Children’s Hospital, there are 724,500 food insecure individuals in Harris County including 23.6% of children. This was an issue that spoke to both J.J. and Kealia.
“Food insecurity is a big issue in this country and certainly is here in Harris County,” Watt said. “What Frito is doing in putting these grab and go meal stations in school is giving kids an opportunity to get food, so that we can combat that.
“Then, also, we’re providing kids through GenYOUTH with flag football kits in school so that they can be active and get involved in the game. They can work on all the things like team work and discipline. Fritos, Cheetos, GenYOUTH, everyone is doing a great job and we’re excited to partner with them and play a little flag football.”
In addition to the partnership with Frito-Lay & Cheetos, the couple is hosting a flag football clinic for children in Houston with GenYOUTH. This national organization promotes healthy school communities by empowering students. Working in tandem with this organization represents another part of their efforts, as flag football kits are being donated to schools to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s obviously a bunch of kids from the community and we’re gonna play some flag football and enjoy some Frito products,” Watt continued. We’re going to just have a good day. We’re back here in Houston, we’re excited to be back in Houston, we love it here and are excited to see kids in the community.”
This wasn’t a previous partnership of Watt’s from his time with the Houston Texans. However, the issue and the opportunity to make an impact spoke to him as an additional chance to help the community that watched him transform into an NFL star.
“This is new,” Watt explained. “Frito was talking to us about what they want to do to help combat food insecurity and we’re excited to be on board.”
The event today will feature the Watt’s coaching against each other and spending time with children at the event. The duo weren’t shy about how excited and competitive they were ready to be regarding the upcoming game.
“We’re going to have a little flag football,” Watt said. “I’m not 100% sure but I’m kind of hoping Kealia coaches one team and I coach the other… winner wakes up early with Koa tomorrow morning and the other gets to sleep.”
Kealia commented afterward that, despite believing in her own coaching advantage, she just hopes it doesn’t end with “a big fight on the field.”
Regardless of the couple matchup, the ultimate winner looks to be the city of Houston and how drafting Watt continues to pay dividends to the community over a decade later. Fans will be able to welcome Watt back to the city in October when the Houston Texans face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers and retire Watt’s jersey at halftime.
