Ben Watson (American football) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ben Watson

Watson with the New Orleans Saints in 2015
No. 82, 84
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1980-12-18) December 18, 1980 (age 44) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:	Northwestern (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
College:	Duke (1999) Georgia (2001–2003)
NFL Draft:	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 32
Career history
New England Patriots (2004–2009) Cleveland Browns (2010–2012) New Orleans Saints (2013–2015) Baltimore Ravens (2016–2017) New Orleans Saints (2018) New England Patriots (2019)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XXXIX) Bart Starr Award (2018) Second-team All-SEC (2003)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 547 Receiving yards: 6,058 Rushing yards: 10 Receiving touchdowns: 44
Player stats at PFR

Benjamin Seth Watson (born December 18, 1980) is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He started his career after being chosen by the New England Patriots in the 2004 NFL draft.

In his very first year, Watson and the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX. Over his long career, he also played for the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Baltimore Ravens. He was known for his skill on the field and his leadership off the field.

Early Life and High School

Benjamin Watson was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He went to Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was a star in both football and track. In his senior year of football, he caught 31 passes for 515 yards. He helped his team win the state championship as a junior.

Watson was also a talented sprinter in track and field. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was named his high school's Student of the Year.

College Football Career

Watson first played football at Duke University. He later transferred to the University of Georgia, where he studied finance. In his three seasons playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, he caught 65 passes for 852 yards and scored 6 touchdowns.

Professional NFL Career

Before the NFL draft, Watson impressed scouts with his athletic ability. He also scored a 48 on the Wonderlic test, a problem-solving test given to players. This was one of the highest scores ever recorded.

New England Patriots (2004–2009)

Watson playing for the Patriots in 2009.

The New England Patriots picked Watson in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he was injured early on and couldn't play for most of the year. Still, his team won Super Bowl XXXIX, and he earned a Super Bowl ring.

Watson became a key player for the Patriots in the following years. One of his most famous plays happened in a 2005 playoff game. After an interception, he chased down Champ Bailey of the Denver Broncos, running the entire length of the field to prevent a touchdown.

During his time with the Patriots, he played with famous quarterback Tom Brady. In 2007, the Patriots had a perfect 16–0 regular season and went to Super Bowl XLII. Watson played in six seasons with the Patriots, catching 20 touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns (2010–2012)

Watson (far left) at Browns training camp in 2012.

In 2010, Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns. He had one of his best seasons that year, leading the team with 68 catches for 763 yards. He played for the Browns for three seasons, scoring a total of eight touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints (2013–2015, 2018)

Watson playing for the Saints in 2015.

Watson joined the New Orleans Saints in 2013, playing alongside quarterback Drew Brees. In 2015, he had an amazing season, setting career highs with 74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns. For his great performance and charity work, he was a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

He returned to the Saints for one more season in 2018. That year, he caught Drew Brees's 500th career touchdown pass.

Baltimore Ravens (2016–2017)

Watson signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016. Unfortunately, he suffered a major injury before the season started and missed the entire year. He returned in 2017 and had a strong season, catching 61 passes and four touchdowns.

Return to the Patriots and Retirement

In 2019, Watson came out of a brief retirement to play one last season with the New England Patriots, the team that first drafted him. He officially retired for good on March 16, 2020, after a successful 15-season career in the NFL.

Personal Life and Legacy

Watson is married to Kirsten Vaughn, and they have seven children together. He is known for being a leader in his community. In 2015, he wrote a book called Under Our Skin, which discusses his thoughts on race in America.

He has also shared his views on social topics and produced a film called Divided Hearts of America. In 2018, he won the Bart Starr Award, which is given to an NFL player who shows great character and leadership.

After retiring from football, Watson became a college football analyst for the SEC Network on ESPN.

Career Statistics

Regular season