J.J. Watt Receiving Honorary Doctorate from Baylor for Hurricane Harvey Work

Houston Texans star J.J. Watt will receive an honorary doctorate from Baylor's College of Medicine, the school announced Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Todd Ackerman.

The decision comes after Watt helped raise more $37 million to help in the recovery effort after Hurricane Harvey caused severe flooding in Houston and surrounding areas.

"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. [David] Persse and J.J. Watt," Baylor President Dr. Paul Klotman said in a statement. "Our graduates and their families can take important lessons from these honorary degree recipients."

Persse is the director of Houston's emergency medical services.

Sports Illustrated named Watt its Sportsperson of the Year in December along with Houston Astros star Jose Altuve. The four-time Pro Bowler was also the recipient of this year's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which goes to a player "who has had a significant positive impact on his community."

Last September, Watt shared a photo of the supplies he planned to help distribute following Hurricane Harvey:

Watt announced in October he planned to split the $37 million in donations between four charities: SBP: Disaster Resilience & Recovery, Save The Children, Feeding America and Americares.

"While I understand the total recovery from Hurricane Harvey could require upwards of $200 billion, and this $37 million will not be able to help every single person as I so badly wish it could, I have made it my mission to ensure this money makes as large of an impact as possible," Watt said as part of the announcement.