J.J. Watt was not always the 6-5, 289-pound defensive lineman he is today. He used to be skinny. He was told he wouldn't make it in the NFL.
NFL Characters Unite, a documentary featuring NFL players who address bullying and prejudice, Watt meets 12-year-old Billy and shares his story with him. The subject of constant bullying, Billy is afraid to go to class and looks up to Watt.
The 2012 AP Defensive Player of the Year pays a visit to Billy. In the segment, the two bond over a conversation about overcoming adversity and their mutual love for football. Watt introduces Billy to a local YMCA where he meets other kids and plays football with them. At the end of what he called his best day ever, Billy is presented witha few gifts to inspire him and give him a chance to play football for a lifetime.
"I've been there," Watt said. "I know what that little belief in yourself can do. I'm going to be a football player for 5, 10 years if I'm lucky, but Billy's life is going to be changed because of a day like today and that means so much more to me than any sack or any touchdown."
NFL Characters Unite airs Friday, Jan. 30 on the USA Network. It also features NFL players Randall Cobb, Victor Cruz, Mark Herzlich, Nick Mangold, Ray Rice, and Charles Tillman.
To read more about the Houston Texans anti-bullying initiative, Toro Takes the BULL out of Bullying, click here.