Texans' Watt to receive honorary degree from Baylor

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt will receive an honorary doctorate from Baylor for his efforts to aid the Houston area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The university announced on Thursday that Watt would get a Doctor of Humanities in Medicine degree during Baylor's commencement ceremony on May 29. Houston Emergency Medical Services director Dr. David Persse will also be honored.

"In the year following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and the community's incredible response, it was most fitting to honor two community leaders who contributed in major ways, Dr. Persse and J.J. Watt," Baylor president Paul Klotman said in a statement. "Our graduates and their families can take important lessons from these honorary degree recipients."

Watt came to the aid of the city of Houston by launching a campaign via social media that ultimately generated more than $37 million in disaster relief assistance.

The 28-year-old Watt, who is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, was named the league's Walter Payton Man of the Year earlier this month.