Benjamin Watson is a popular American football tight-end who currently plays for the NFL‘s New Orleans Saints. Watson is also an author who has published several books, including The New Dad’s Playbook (2016), Under Our Skin (2015), and Taylor’s Guide to Heirloom Vegetables. He has built a considerable legacy in the famous sports, scoring 48 points in the Wonderlic Personnel test and coming off with the third-highest score of any player in the league’s history.
Watson also won the Super Bowl XXXIX with the England Patriots (2004 – 2010) against the Philadelphia Eagles and has played with other teams such as the Cleveland Browns from 2010 to 2012.
Key Takeaways
- Benjamin Watson, a renowned NFL tight end, boasts an impressive career with the New Orleans Saints and other teams.
- He’s not just a sportsman but also an author, known for books like “The New Dad’s Playbook.”
- Watson’s journey highlights resilience, leadership, and versatility in professional sports.
- Despite his remarkable achievements, he remains grounded in family values and his Christian faith.
Benjamin Watson Biography
Benjamin Seth Watson was born on December 18, 1980, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America. He grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and attended Northwestern High School where he was a letterman in both athletics and football. In his junior year, he led his team to the State Championship and was a member of the Christian Athletic Community.
In his senior year as a soccer player, he caught 31 passes for 515 yards and was twice in the All-Regional Selection and Northwestern HS Student of the Year. Watson participated in other sports, including athletics, where he was an outstanding sprinter, with a personal best record of 22.37 seconds over 200 yards and 50.03 seconds over 400 yards.
Career
After high school, Benjamin Watson first became involved with Duke University (1999) and later moved to the University of Georgia (2001-2003) to study finance. He played one season at Duke and three seasons in Georgia and had a total of 73 catches for 945 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Watson’s overall performance in the 2004 NFL united deeply impressed team representatives and scouts. He completed all combination and position exercises and scored 48 points on the Wonderlic test, the highest score of any player in the history of the league. At the end of the training, the scouts and NFL draft experts projected Benjamin Watson into the second round and the third-best tight end prospect in the draft.
He started playing professionally after signing with the New England Patriots, who voted him 32nd overall in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. His first contract with the team was for six years and valued at $13.50 million, including a signing bonus of $3.81 million.
He had a taste of victory at the beginning of his career with the team when he intercepted two passes for 16 yards in a 27-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
During his 2004-2009 season with the Patriots, Watson participated in a total of 71 games, 167 receptions, 2,102 yards, and 20 touchdowns. In his first season, after the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX, he received a Super Bowl ring, but not without suffering a knee injury in the third round of his first game with the team.
Benjamin Watson was offered a contract by two teams: Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks, as an unrestricted freelancer in 2010. Later, on March 12, 2010, he signed a $12 million three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns with a $6.35 million guarantee.
He was named a starter for the start of the regular season and later played as a tight end in 2012, earning a total of 154 receptions for 1,674 yards and 8 touchdowns in all of his 45 games with the Browns.
In 2013, Watson signed a $4.95 million three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints (2013 – 2015) and was named the second Tight End at the beginning of the season. After suffering an injury, he played in a starting lineup in a 30-27 defeat to his former team, the New England Patriots. In week 10, he suffered a concussion in the Saints’ 49-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
He finished the whole reason with a total of 113 receptions for 1,187 yards and 10 touchdowns in all 47 games with the Saints. Watson became one of the offensive team captains in 2015 along with his teammates Zach Strief and Drew Brees.
After his contract with the Saints expired, the Baltimore Ravens signed a two-year $7 million contract with Watson, including a $2 million signing bonus with a $3 million guarantee. He started as the Starting Tight End during training but was later named the Backup Tight End for the start of the regular season.
He completed the entire season, exactly in 16 games and 12 starts with 61 receptions for 522 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. His efforts led to the Ravens’ 21-10 win over the Cleveland Browns in week 2 and the 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns in week 15.
Watson became an unrestricted free agent after completing his two contracts with the Ravens and on March 21, 2018, negotiated a second one-year assignment with the New Orleans Saints on a $2 million contract including a signing bonus of $645,000.
Benjamin Watson Body Stats
The 2004 first-round contender had his best NFL season at the age of 35 and has remained surprisingly useful. With his body statistics and 15 years in the game, aging does not seem to apply to Watson at all.
He is considered one of New Orleans’ toughest workers, due to his strength, speed, and leadership skills. He stands at an impressive height of 6’3″ (1.91 m) and weighs 251 lbs (116 kg).
Wife And Family
Benjamin Watson is married to his wife Kristen Watson, and the couple has five children: Grace Makayla Watson, Naomi Love Watson, Judah Watson, Eden Moriah Watson, and Isaiah Watson. They got married in 2005 after meeting at a campus party, and since then they have been building their marriage on the strong virtues of Christianity.
Quick Facts
1. What is Benjamin Watson famous for? He is famous for being a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons.
2. For which teams did Benjamin Watson play? During his career, Watson played for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.
3. Did Benjamin Watson win a Super Bowl? Yes, He won Super Bowl XXXIX with the New England Patriots in his rookie year.
4. Where did Benjamin Watson go to college? He played college football for both the Duke Blue Devils and the Georgia Bulldogs.
5. When did Benjamin Watson retire? American football tight-end announced his retirement from the NFL at the end of the 2018 playoffs.
6. What is Benjamin Watson’s current occupation? Following his retirement from football, He serves as the VP of Strategic Relationships for the Human Coalition, a pro-life organization.
7. What are Benjamin Watson’s stats? You can find detailed statistics on his career achievements online, including his receiving yards, touchdowns, and other key metrics.
8. How tall is Benjamin Watson? He stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall.
9. Is Benjamin Watson married? Yes, He has been married to Kirsten Watson since 2005.
10. Does Benjamin Watson have any children? Yes, He and his wife Kirsten have five children together.
Wrap Up
Benjamin Watson’s journey in the NFL exemplifies resilience, leadership, and dedication. Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field and as an author, his commitment to family and faith sets him apart. With a legacy built on strength and integrity, Watson continues to inspire both on and off the field.
