Ben Watson is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He was born on December 18, 1980, in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Watson played college football at the University of Georgia, where he was a standout player and earned All-SEC honors in his senior year.
Watson was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons with the Patriots, where he was primarily used as a blocking tight end. He won two Super Bowl championships with the team in 2005 and 2008.
In 2010, Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. He played three seasons with the Browns, where he had his best statistical season in 2010, recording 68 receptions for 763 yards and three touchdowns.
After his time with the Browns, Watson signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2013. He played three seasons with the Saints, where he was a key contributor to the team's offense. In 2015, he had a career-high 74 receptions for 825 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2016, Watson signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He played one season with the Ravens, where he suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.
Watson then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 but was released before the start of the regular season. He then signed with the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots, for a second stint. He played one season with the Patriots, where he had 35 receptions for 400 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2019, Watson signed with the team that drafted him for a third time, the New Orleans Saints. He played in ten games, recording 17 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. He announced his retirement from the NFL on December 28, 2019.
Throughout his career, Watson was known for his versatility and ability to contribute as both a blocker and a receiver. He finished his career with 547 receptions for 6,058 yards and 44 touchdowns. He was also known for his off-the-field contributions, including his work with the International Justice Mission, a human rights organization that fights against human trafficking and slavery.
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