Pass It On: Work Hard, Serve Others ...Repeat

by Deshaun Watson, Lavaille Lavette

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the most promising young players in the NFL, but he believes that true success lies in leading his team from a perspective of service. In this inspiring, practical book, Deshaun illustrates how the seven qualities of a servant leader can lead to a more successful life.

Deshaun Watson was only eleven when his family received a house from Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn through Dunn’s charity, Homes for the Holidays. But that early gift left a lasting impression, teaching Deshaun that generosity and service to others are important parts of true success.

Now a star in his own right, and the most promising young player in the NFL, Deshaun reveals the lessons that have guided him throughout his life. From Deshaun’s early days in Gainesville, Georgia, where he nursed his mother through cancer, to his years at Clemson—where he graduated in three years while being nominated for the Heisman twice—to his first few seasons in the NFL, Deshaun has distinguished himself as a leader by putting the others first. In Pass It On, Deshaun opens up about the seven core values that have guided him on his own journey.

Generosity
Empathy
Self-Sacrifice
Service
Commitment
Strength
Values in Action

Interweaving stories from his life with practical advice that every reader can apply, Deshaun demonstrates how true strength lies in putting others first.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Memoir, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

Derrick Deshaun Watson is quarterback for the Houston Texans and a former college All-American at Clemson. While at Clemson he led his team to the national championship game in 2015 and a national championship title in 2016. He was born in Gainesville, Georgia, and was a first-round draft pick to the NFL in 2017.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The young quarterback shares his experiences and views. He is inspiring in his views of service and leadership. He also came under fire this summer for making anti-semitic comments on social media, which he later apologized for. Interesting to see this side of him.

[JPS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of DeShaun Watson. I think he is an extraordinary athlete and genuinely a good person. That’s why I was big on reading this book when I found it (didn’t know he had a book out originally).

In this book DeShaun talks about being a, “servant leader.” I thought he did a good job explaining in detail of what he considers “servant” and “leadership qualities through focus, humility, and the eagerness to learn.

I took away a lot of positives from this book and would recommend it to anyone, but there were parts that just drug on and lost my attention at times. Early on, really good stuff, but the middle just lacked substance in lacking for a better word. I liked how he used his really life situations as examples even if they were broad and not very detailed. He used some multiple times to get his point across.

I enjoyed it. I will certainly use this book in the future when battling with perspective. Highly recommended.

[Varney Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! From humble beginnings and a very tough upbringing Deshaun Watson shares very valuable lessons on becoming a better servant leaders to others. Knowing of the things he’s done today kinda puts you in a weird position when you read this book, but if you can bypass that it’s a very pleasant read.

[Angelica · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unfullfilling memoir turned self-help. As a person who loves both memoirs and self-help genres, I was extremely disappointed. The books starts with Watson's below-poverty childhood. This is supposed to be the part where the reader feels he can relate and is then hooked on the book. Watson didn't provide this experience. Instead, he listed his hardships, and then amazingly they were over. I wanted to know how they felt; I wanted bullying stories; going hungry; neighborhood tussles; and all the things that go along with growing up in the slums. Watson fails to get my emotions involved.

As I read on, he told story after story where he fell into success because he was unnaturally talented, was a fast learner, etc. It felt like I was reading about a man who won the lottery, or was born with superpowers, rather than about a man who started low and did the right things to get high. His book felt like too much positivity and too shallow for it to be real. The highlights focus on things like determination, humility, loyalty, etc. that are in every other self-help book out there. I wanted Watson's story, not a list of his successes and garble about leadership mindsets.

Overall, don't waste your time. This book is unrelatable, lacks excitement and character. If you are interested in how and why people become successful, go read any of Malcolm Gladwell's books, starting with "Outliers".

[Wesley Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Clemson fan, I enjoyed learning more about Deshaun in his own words. More importantly, as a fellow subscriber to the servant-leadership mentality, I found it to be a clear, concise, everyday primer on what that methodology looks like.

An overarching theme throughout the book and its lessons is the topic of balance: not getting too high or too down about circumstances, finding a coach and being a coach, celebrating success while learning from failure. Balance is something that I try to achieve in my own life and it’s different facets, so seeing it pursued/proclaimed by someone I respect was reaffirming.

[Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book to read if you play football. it is narrated by Deshawn Watson and it teaches the readers about how he grew up. Pass it on is literally the term to be used when reading this book, pass it on means to pass his story on. He grew up as a youngster with a single mom he was located in sketchy parts of a city where there were gunshots and gang-affiliated areas all around. I strongly suggest this book because it shows how you can make nothing and turn it into something it also shows how true strength can lead you in life.

[Jack Thow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderful book that talks about how to change perspectives on hardships faced and see their beauty. A really insightful read for leadership discussions and how to remain humble. Must read for athletes and leaders around the world in general.

[Philip Potratz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in what he had to say about being a servant leader. Two of my children went to a Christian college that stressed servant leadership. I found that the points he brought out were very good especially for one so young.

[Kristen Wiles Folk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Everyone sees a football player on the field and doesn't know them or their story. It was an uplifting, and motivational book, as well as being a back story of his life. I loved the generosity and hard work that he displayed in the book and in actual life.

[David Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from a true roll model. Every young athlete should aspire to live their life the way Deshaun has and will continue to. Stay humble and lead by serving others.

[Karen Bobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about servant leadership from a young adult perspective. There are lessons in the book that everyone can use.

[Tate Niekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read it a while back, and Ill say that this book is great. It shows you how to not act like a fool and just go and get to work when you step on the field.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Deshaun talks about the seven qualities of being a servant leader that he thinks can lead to a more successful life: Generosity, Empathy, Self-Sacrifice, Service, Commitment, Strength, and Values in Action. He was so thoughtful in outlining his approach to how he's living his life, which is astounding for anybody, but particularly for someone his age.

I loved the opening scene of Deshaun getting baptized in Israel, which he says was a special moment of his journey. The author mentioned several times in the book how he lined up all his toys as a kid and how everything had to be straight and organized, leading him to this pursuit.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/des...

[Jimmy D · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful