J.J. Watt named one of Sports Illustrated's 2017 Sportspersons of the Year

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Pewaukee native and pro-football star J.J. Watt has been named one of Sports Illustrated’s “Sportspersons of the Year.”

Watt is getting the honor because he helped raise more than $37 million for relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston.

He shares the recognition with Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve who helped bring home the team’s World Series Championship.

The pair will accept the honor at SI’s Sportsperson of the Year Award Show on December 5 at Barclays Center in New York. The award has been given to the player, coach, or team who has best personified the ideals of athletic achievement and sportsmanship on and off the field since 1954. Watt is the seventh NFL athlete to be named, joining the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana.