{{Short description|American football player (born 1972)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Damon Watts |image= |number=36 |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|4|8|mf=y}} |birth_place = Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |death_date= |height_ft=5 |height_in=10 |weight_lbs=180 |position=Cornerback |high_school=Lawrence North (Indianapolis) |college=Indiana |undraftedyear=1994 |teams= *Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1994|1997}}) }} '''Damon Shanel Watts''' (born April 8, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDa20.htm|title = Damon Watts Stats}}</ref>
Watts was a three-year starter at Indiana University Bloomington.<ref name="journal">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/155479310/?clipping_id=129323237|title=Indianapolis native Watts has his heart in the game|work=Daily Journal|first=Bill|last=Brooks|date=July 10, 1997|access-date=August 1, 2023|page=7|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 1994.<ref name="berth">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313275436/?clipping_id=129320797|title=Watts is aiming for a starting berth|work=Indianapolis News|first=Mike|last=Chappell|date=July 22, 1996|access-date=August 1, 2023|page=29|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="spot">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/107097421/?clipping_id=129321150|title=Watts is battling to regain starting spot|work=The Indianapolis Star|first=Mike|last=Chappell|date=August 4, 1997|access-date=August 1, 2023|page=15|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Watts was immediately inserted into the starting lineup as a nickel back in the season opener and started seven additional games at left cornerback before he was benched in favor of Ray Buchanan, the team's free safety, in the fourth quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins.<ref name=berth/><ref name=spot/> Buchanan was only meant to relieve Watts temporarily, but he intercepted a pass from Dan Marino and returned it for a touchdown and took the starting role, going on to record seven interceptions in his final seven games.<ref name=berth/><ref name=spot/> Watts came off the bench in his next 29 games, primarily on special teams or third down situations.<ref name="dejavu">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313228007/?clipping_id=129321747|title=Miami game to be deja vu for Watts|work=Indianapolis News|first=Mike|last=Chappell|date=August 26, 1997|access-date=August 1, 2023|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Watts regained his starting spot in 1997 after Buchanan signed with the Atlanta Falcons, opening the season at right cornerback against the Miami Dolphins.<ref name=dejavu/> After playing his first three seasons at 175 lbs, he bulked up to 190 lbs.<ref name=journal/> Watts suffered damage to two of his vertebrae in a game against the San Diego Chargers that October and was placed on injured reserve in November.<ref name="retire">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313646845/?clipping_id=129323750|title=Hanging up his helmet|work=Indianapolis News|first=Mike|last=Chappell|date=February 6, 1998|access-date=August 1, 2023|page=57|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> After watching a life-threatening spinal cord injury to Detroit Lions player Reggie Brown on television, Watts decided to retire from the game, deciding that it was "not worth the risk."<ref name=retire/>
Watts currently resides in Broward County Florida with his wife Dawn Watts and now works as the Middle School Dean of Students at North Broward Prep.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watts, Damon}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:American football cornerbacks Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:Indiana Hoosiers football players Category:20th-century American sportsmen
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