Watt Raised Money for Houston Relief
CUOMO: Merry Christmas. Welcome back to a special Christmas Day edition of NEW DAY. You know, it's been exactly four months since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas. It was a category four storm. One person trying to help Texans get back on their feet is Houston Texans star J.J. Watt. The NFL player raised more than $37 million for his home state. J.J. Watt joins us now from Houston. Merry Christmas, big man.</s>J.J. WATT, DEFENSIVE END, HOUSTON TEXANS: Hi. Merry Christmas to you.</s>CUOMO: So the money that you have raised, how is it helping people during the Christmas season?</s>WATT: It's all at work. The money's out at work. Now we're working with four great organizations. We're partnered with SBP, who's helping to rebuild homes. And throughout the next couple of years they're going to rebuild hundreds of homes. We're partnering with Americares, who's giving out medical care, both physical and mental health care, which is obviously both equally important during this time. We're working with Feeding America to give out food and drinks, obviously, during this tough time. People are going through so much, they need that nutrition. And then we're also working with Save the Children to get over 1,000 childcare centers back up and running because that's one of the most important things is parents need a place to get their kids to be safe, and obviously get themselves back to work. And some of these childcare centers also provide food and they provide community services, as well. So it's extremely important that we get those back up and running. And it's a very long process. It's obviously going to take a very long time. We're working over the course of the next two years. But the money is at work. And I've gone out and I've visited and I've seen some of these sites and it's truly incredible what these people went through, but also the positivity and the energy that they have throughout it all. And it's really inspiring. And I can't thank everybody who donated enough because your money is doing some great things.</s>CUOMO: Now, you're a young man. You're young in your career still, and yet you're known for taking on community efforts with real passion. What was the most where you knew you had to step up here?</s>WATT: Oh, I mean, you know, these people have support me throughout my whole career. I've been here in Houston for seven years. They've supported me on the field. They've supported me off the field. And when you see your city going through something like that, you see the people that support you going through something like that, you have to step up. You have to find a way. You know, I heard a quote one time, if you can, you must. And I feel like it was just my duty. You know, I'm so grateful for everything that they did for me. And to see them going through such a difficult time, I wanted to be right there with them side by side going through it and doing whatever I could to use my platform for good.</s>CUOMO: You were named "Sports Illustrated" "Sportsman of the Year" for lifting up the people of Houston during a difficult time. What did that mean to you?</s>WATT: You know, I think it's so much bigger than just a single person honor. I'm very honored and humble to receive that aware, to share it with Jose Altuve and the Astros for everything that they did for the city. But it's so much bigger than either of us. It's a city. It's a culture. It's an entire people. All the people who donated -- over 200,000 people donated to this fund, and so many more helped out, whether it was physically helping out, getting in boats and saving people. The firefighters, the policemen, everybody who stepping up in a big, big way to help out our city. And it's continuing to do so moving forward. I think everybody deserves the award. And I'm just fortunate enough to be the mouthpiece for that. And I just want to give everybody the credit who deserves it.</s>CUOMO: Good for you. It's always about team. And when people like you said, if you can, you must. And you have special talents and you brought them to bear. The reason I say that you're still young in your career is, I've been following you all along since college. You're seven years in. But you ain't normal, big brother, let me tell you something. The way that you handle yourself as an athlete, the way you train makes you special. How you're doing in coming back from your injury?</s>WATT: I appreciate that very much. That's very kind of you. I'm doing good. You know, it's a -- it's a -- it was a gruesome injury, but it's -- it's -- the recovery process is going really well. And I have a lot of optimism. You know, I have a lot of excitement and optimism for what the future holds and getting back on the field and helping my team out. and I just can't wait. Every single day is a new step. And it takes a lot of single steps to climb a mountain. And I'm just working that -- up that mountain one day at a time. And I can't wait to get back to the top.</s>CUOMO: I look forward to those videos that make me feel great and terrible at the same time where you do amazing physical skill sets. I love watching you, even when you dunk the basketball. I've never seen anybody make it look as easy as you do, at your size, you know what I mean, because you're a big man. You've got a big heart, as well.</s>WATT: Right. Well, thank you.</s>CUOMO: You're helping people who deserve it. We look forward to you getting back on the field. You know, you're not a New York Jet, but you can't have everything in life, J.J. Watt. You know, you're good with your community. You've got to just take your blessings where you find them.</s>WATT: Well, thank you. I appreciate it. And feel free to send back some of those videos any time if you've got any of your workout videos or you dunking. I'll take any of those any time.</s>CUOMO: Sadly, there are none, J.J. Watt. That's why I need you. The only thing I dunk is doughnuts in coffee. You be well. The best to your family for Christmas.</s>WATT: Hey, that's all right. Thank you. You as well. Happy holidays.</s>CUOMO: All right, Alisyn.</s>CAMEROTA: OK, Chris, so let's say you've received a gift you do not like. Should you re-gift it or return it? Christine Romans joins us with what to do, next.