logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Deshaun Watson's Mom Survived Cancer and Is His Inspiration — inside the NFL Star's Upbringing

Edduin Carvajal
Mar 25, 2021
06:40 A.M.

Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson had to work really hard to make it to the NFL, and his mother, who survived cancer, has always been his inspiration.

Advertisement

Born in 1995 in Gainesville, Georgia, Deshaun Watson is one of Deann Watson’s four children. As a single mother, she had to work tirelessly to provide for her family.

Still, it was pretty challenging as the family spent years living in public housing. At some point, seven people had to share a two-bedroom apartment.

Deshaun Watson on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas | Photo: Getty Images

Deshaun Watson on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas | Photo: Getty Images

NEW HOUSE, NEW LIFE

That was until Deshaun, nine years old at the time, took home a Habitat for Humanity flier, a nonprofit organization that helps families build homes using volunteer labor.

Since their situation was already dire, Deann decided to give it a try and, after completing over 200 hours of volunteer service by building homes and donating at shelters, she could build her own place in 2011.

Advertisement

Coincidentally, it was Warrick Dunn, a retired NFL player who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, who presented the keys of the four-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style home to the Watsons.

Advertisement

According to Deshaun, that changed “everyone’s lives,” including his, as it gave him the much-needed motivation to fulfill his dreams and become who he is nowadays.

Advertisement

DEANN WATSON’S CANCER

As a sophomore at Gainesville High School, Deshaun was attracting many college coaches' attention for his arm. At the same time, he was working as a ball boy for the Falcons.

Sadly, Deshaun Watson’s mom was diagnosed with stage-five tongue cancer in 2011, also during Deshaun’s sophomore year. He and his older brother, Detrick, had to help raise two of his siblings without neglecting his responsibilities as a student and athlete.

Advertisement

According to Deshaun, he worked four jobs at the time – ball boy, tax assessor, accountant assistant, and real estate assistant – so that his younger siblings could get to school, had food on the table, and clothes to wear.

Deann had to get treatment in Atlanta, almost 50 miles away from their home in Gainesville. It is important to point out that Deann didn’t want her three youngest children to visit her during her treatment.

Advertisement

According to her, it could “turn their lives upside down.” For that reason, Deshaun Watson’s family – mainly his aunt and uncle, Sonia and Terri Watson – took care of him and his siblings.

Deshaun knows that without his mom […], he wouldn’t have made it to the NFL.

Advertisement

Speaking of Sonia, she once pointed out that it was Deann’s family that pushed her through everything, adding that being able to help her children gave Deann “so much strength.”

Deshaun’s mom underwent chemo and radiotherapy, got her tongue surgically removed, and eventually, it was reconstructed. The whole treatment lasted about six months, and Deann fortunately survived.

Advertisement

DESHAUN WATSON’S COLLEGE AND PRO CAREER

Years went by, and Deshaun went to Clemson University and joined the football team, the Tigers, as a quarterback. Apart from helping the Tigers win a National Championship, he graduated with a degree in Communications.

Then, in 2017, the Houston Texans drafted him in the first round. In 2020, he signed a four-year contract extension with the team, proving how important he is for the organization.

Advertisement

Deshaun knows that without his mom, family, and those who helped along the way, he wouldn’t have made it to the NFL, which is why he’s so eager to give back.

During his time at Clemson, he and the rest of the team worked on a community service project with Habitat for Humanity in Greenville. Deshaun was the leader, said Tigers coach Dabo Swinney.

Then, in 2019, the Texans’ quarterback partnered with Houzz, an online home remodeling and design platform, and surprised Deann, his “rock” and “hero,” with a renovation of her home in Georgia, and she loved it.

Sonia, who helped make some decisions during the renovation, was with Deshaun Watson when he showed his mother the renovated house. You can watch her reaction in the video above (starting at 17:50).

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
info

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

Related posts

Simone Biles in $120 Wedding Dress Blasted for Unkempt Hair – Olympic Star 'Hungry' During Childhood Responds

December 08, 2023

Tom Brady Goes Shirtless on Family Vacation & Fans Notice the Changes in His Physical Appearance

November 26, 2023

Diane Addonizio Became Howie Long's Wife in 1982 & Is a Mother of 3

January 11, 2024

Catherine Mooty Is Troy Aikman’s Ex-wife with 2 Grown-Up Sons

December 14, 2023

Tyreek Hill's Wife - Keeta Vaccaro Is a Businesswoman Passionate about Start-Ups & Wellness

November 24, 2023

Michael Strahan Returns to ‘NFL Sunday' Though Not Yet to ‘GMA’ After 2-Week Absence

November 13, 2023

Teacher Adopts Foster Kid Who Is a Carbon Copy of His Late Daughter, Years Later Her Mother Shows Up – Story of the Day

March 03, 2024

Tavia Shackles Hunt Is a Beauty Queen Turned Community Volunteer and a Dedicated Mom: More about Clark Hunt's Wife

November 26, 2023

Richard Giannotti Was Once Joy Taylor’s Husband – He Has Remarried

November 18, 2023

Brittney McNorton Was an Intern before Marrying Calvin Johnson Jr

November 18, 2023

Lincoln Riley's Wife Caitlin Buckley Surprised Him on His 40th Birthday

November 30, 2023

Michael Strahan Found Love with New Woman after 2 Divorces & Raising 4 Kids – Inside His Personal Life

January 17, 2024

Karl Malone Has 7 Children with 3 Women & 3 Were Born Before He Married

December 20, 2023

Christina Applegate Changed Her 'Godawful' Kitchen into a Bright Alternative – Inside Her Home of over 25 Years

January 18, 2024