Justin Watson

NFL Golfers Making a Difference

Leveraging the Intersection Between Business and Sports

Across all sports, many of the world’s most famous athletes have gone on to find a successful second career in business. Names like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, George Foreman, and Alex Rodriguez are enterprises unto themselves, with business empires to back their owners’ entrepreneurial efforts. The leap into business often happens in tandem with an athlete picking up a second sport. Obviously, athletes have natural abilities and a competitive nature, so it’s no surprise that they often excel at multiple sports. For many athletes, golf is the great turn-to for those who found fame previously in other sports. The list of professional athletes who are also proud golfers includes heavy-hitters such as Steph Curry, Bode Miller, Pete Sampras, Wayne Gretzky, Eli Manning, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino. Among those who have found success in both golf and business following their primary sports careers is retired NFL player and Super Bowl winner Justin Watson. Watson considers golf his “vacation from reality.” He notes that when he’s on a golf course, he gets a sense of peace. Moreover, when he’s competing on the course, he feels as though all aspects of his being are satisfied. Watson got his start in golf by participating in celebrity tournaments. The first one was Marshall Faulk’s Celebrity Classic. Watson loved it and was immediately hooked. He found that his naturally competitive spirit made him want to play—and win—against family, friends, and other teammates. Unlike many other NFL players, Watson didn’t start playing football at an early age. As a first-generation American (the child of Jamaican immigrants), Watson’s Sundays were filled with work rather than football games. So it’s no surprise that he has turned to business to help fill his post-retirement time as well. Hard work has always been a cornerstone of his life.

Many would be surprised to learn that Watson played only one year of high school football before earning a scholarship to play at San Diego State University. Following college, he wasn’t drafted immediately either, but was able to sign with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. Like with his football career, Watson notes that his ability to succeed at golf comes down to hard work and persistence—and his capacity to keep moving forward even after he misses a shot. “The most important thing,” Watson insists, “is to push it out of your mind, regain your focus, and try your best on the next shot.” And his efforts have paid off. Watson has had the pleasure of playing at some of the top golf courses in the country, including Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Pine Valley. He has also played in many of the tournaments in the Los Angeles region—and has won several, including four championships at both Lakeside and Annandale golf clubs. Watson’s golf journey parallels his business journey (and his football career before that). He remains committed to his goals. He works hard and stays persistent. In addition, his business ventures highlight another principle that’s especially important to him—social justice. Giving back to communities has always been central to Watson’s business model. His latest endeavor accomplishes this through coffee. His newest company, BLQK Coffee, donates a quarter of its profits to youth and education initiatives in the Black community. Watson credits all of these factors— dedication, perseverance, competition, and a commitment to social justice—as defining ideals in his life and foundational to the success he’s achieved. And he credits golf as an opportunity to continue to uphold these principles, both on and off the course.