Houston Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson made a huge splash in his debut as a starter during tonight’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, and fans in the stadium and online — including Watson’s NFL teammates — are still gasping.
The former Clemson Tiger (and 2017 College National Championship MVP) scored the game’s only touchdown with a 49-yard run just two plays after being knocked down by Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins so hard he almost did a backflip.
It was a big moment for Watson, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Thursday, and for the city of Houston.
Watson’s touchdown solidified a lead for the Texans that culminated in the team’s first win since Hurricane Harvey devastated the city two weeks ago. Small wonder then that the TD became the highlight of the game, otherwise a defensive slugfest between the two teams.
Watson was selected by the Texans 12th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, and started over Tom Savage following a devastating Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Watch the whole play in the video below
Deshaun Watson showing you that he is as fun as advertisedhttps://t.co/xoIEFWsslv
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 15, 2017
Naturally, football Twitter, especially actual pro football players, were extremely impressed.
@deshaunwatson 👀👀👀👀
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 15, 2017
Ok young boy!!!! pic.twitter.com/H0xY5ztIPy
— Billy (@snacks) September 15, 2017
👀 #4
— Dak Prescott (@dak) September 15, 2017
@deshaunwatson YOUNG KING🔥🔥🔥
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) September 15, 2017
Then watching the rookie Michael Vick his way to the end zone 😱 #HOUvsCIN
— Mike Daniels (@Mike_Daniels76) September 15, 2017
That looked like madden right there lol
— James White (@SweetFeet_White) September 15, 2017
Then again, so were the fans.
HELLO MR. WATSON 👋 pic.twitter.com/zWTn6f7KIp
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 15, 2017
As I was saying Deshaun Watson is the real Savage
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) September 15, 2017
Even “Jeopardy!” got in on it, with a harsh burn against a recently traded Houston Texan.
"Who is: Deshaun Watson?"#JeopardySports #HOUvsCIN pic.twitter.com/s9fcgTbJTn
— Jeopardy! Sports (@JeopardySports) September 15, 2017
Not a bad way to spend your birthday.