Watts, J. C. (1957–)

Former Republican Congressman Julius Caesar “J. C.” Watts, Jr. has the natural gift of charisma and leadership, skills that were honed as a football quarterback and as a youth minister. Although he received many individual honors in sports and politics, he was always revered as a team player.

His accomplishments in sports shaped his personality and his public image, preparing him for a future career in politics. He quarterbacked the Eufaula Iron Heads, the University of Oklahoma Sooners, and the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In 1980 and 1981 Watts was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Orange Bowl, leading his Sooners to two consecutive conference championships and Orange Bowl titles. In his CFL rookie season he was MVP of the ...