JJ Watt was a Wisconsin kid with a big dream before he was racking up sacks in the NFL. That dream evolved into a powerful foundation and, eventually, into the JJ Watt Charity Classic, where 25,000 fans flocked to Minute Maid Park to watch NFL players swing bats for a cause. At its height, the event raised $1.6 million to support after-school athletics for middle-schoolers. The lesson? A platform is more than just a paycheck—it’s a ticket to make an impact.

He transformed his idea into a reality in 2013 by starting the JJ Watt Charity Classic, a softball tournament that united local families and NFL players for a cause greater than football. A $100,000 fundraising target quickly grew into a spectacle that brought in $1.6 million in a single night.

Now, Colts QB Anthony Richardson is trying to follow that same playbook off the field. He has some wonderful news for his community as he steps outside the Colts’ organisation. On May 1st, Richardson took to Instagram with a big announcement: “I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Anthony Richardson Football Skills Academy!!” In an effort to give back to the Gainesville community, support young athletes, and offer helpful information for single parents, the academy will host a free Parent Summit.

“It’s time to give back to the incredible community that helped shape me. Join us for a FREE Parent Summit…Can’t wait to see you all there!🫡💙,” Richardson wrote, beaming with pride. LaShawnda Cleare is powering the Summit, which will highlight options for single parents and youth athletic development. The program includes mentorship, lunch, camp shirts, and of course, Richardson himself.

Registration is now open. April Taylor can be contacted at april@thesvefirm.com for more information about the camp or sponsorship opportunities. The objective? Establish the kind of surroundings that Anthony could have benefited from as a child. Richardson wants to leave a lasting legacy in Gainesville, but that legacy is still very much up in the air back in Indianapolis.

Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones in a high-stakes QB showdown

After Andrew Luck retired, the Colts’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door. In 2023, they drafted Richardson fourth overall in the hopes of finding a long-term solution. However, Richardson’s 2024 sophomore campaign raised more questions than answers. He struggled with ball security, throwing 12 interceptions and fumbling nine times, and finished with a league-worst completion rate of 47.7%. Although he did show off his athletic potential with six rushing scores, he was unable to make up for the costlier mistakes.

And the front office took notice. So, in came Daniel Jones. Who was brought in to challenge Richardson for the starting position is now Richardson’s rival. Chris Ballard, the general manager of the Colts, has stated unequivocally that the quarterback competition will be fierce, with both players vying for the position. “Between Daniel and Anthony, you’re going to see a really good competition,” Ballard confessed.

And Jones may not be the last of it. As a top-30 visit before the draft, the Colts hosted Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, a prospect with high promise but inconsistent play. “Even when we had Andrew Luck, we brought quarterbacks in,” Ballard said, hinting at the possibility of adding a third quarterback. Sam Ehlinger’s exit left a hole in the QB room. Ewers, with a 31-TD season under his belt, could be stashed for the future—or unleashed if things go south again.

For Richardson, this is make-or-break time. If neither QB steps up, the Colts could find themselves back at square one. Time will tell if the competition will finally bring them the stability they’ve been craving.