If Warren Moon is going to keep giving Deshaun Watson compliments, the Houston Texans quarterback is going to humbly accept them.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, who played for the Houston Oilers from 1984-93, says that Watson has the same potential to end up in Canton, Ohio, himself when his career is over.
“It’s definitely a great honor and recognition from a guy that’s done a lot for this league and a guy that’s done a lot for this community,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “Just being able to be recognized for that and — it’s definitely a long ways away.”
The Texans drafted Watson with the 12th overall pick in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL draft. At 24 years old and on the verge of completing his third NFL season, the expectation is that the former Clemson Tiger’s career still has a full decade of high level performance before discussions of retirement and legacy are a subject of regular discussion.
In between now and when Watson is ready to hang them up, the two-time Pro Bowler knows he can’t rest on his laurels.
“I have a lot more to improve on and I know that he knows that,” said Watson. “But it’s pretty cool to have guys to encourage me. Can definitely use it as motivation.”
Moon has been an encouraging figure from the Houston sports community that has publicly and privately helped Watson. Ahead of the Texans’ wild-card playoff game with the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 4, which the Texans won 22-19 in overtime, Moon sent a supportive message to Watson. If Watson is able to capitalize on such encouragement, as he did against the Bills, then putting together a Hall of Fame resume shouldn’t be too big of a task for Watson when it is time for Hall of Fame consideration years from now.
