The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW most recently spending time in the non- commercial parts of Jamaica last May. Helping individuals has always been a part of Watson's life. "That has been part of my upbringing N since I was a kid because service is more than doing good things for people," Watson said. "You have to connect with people. We aren't just going down someplace to build them a porch or build them a house and then leave. It's great to go somewhere and meet people and understand their culture. We can exchange ideas and then see what the real need is. "It's something I'll continue to do the rest of my life, but I haven't made any plans. I don't know which way I'll go, fulltime or not." BY JACEY ZEMBAL C State redshirt junior tight end Asa Watson has helped hundreds of people over the years. He has been part of several mission trips, but I was still working out," Watson said. "If it started racing, I would just stop. It's how it is now. I'm not healed all the way. I still struggle with it sometimes and that is frustrating. I feel like it's slowing my progress down, but it is in God's hands." The doctors called his situation a nuisance rhythm that he'd have to be careful with. "It's something that I'll feel and monitor, but it shouldn't kill me," Watson said. "I just have to be smart about it." The 6-4, 235-pound Watson was back in time for spring practices March 23-April 20, and he caught a 74-yard pass to the 1-yard line at the Kay Yow Spring Game April 21. "They told me I'd be back in 10 days [after the surgery], but I didn't expect to be in the same shape," Watson said. "I was a little bit behind, but I got back into it." Getting back on the football field this READY FOR ACTION spring in front of NC State fans was an unbelievable feeling. For the second time Tight End Asa Watson Gives His Heart To Others In Need Watson has also been an inspiration to others after undergoing a pair of heart op- erations and returning to the football field this past spring. Watson had his first heart surgery in December, followed by his sec- ond in March. Watson was diagnosed with Wolff- Parkinson-White syndrome, which is an abnormal accessory electrical conduction pathway between the atria and the ven- tricles. Watson's heart rate would go from 60-80 beats a minute up to 200. It's some- thing he'll be battling for the rest of his life during strenuous activities, but isn't life threatening. "At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was just running and then I'd feel my heart just racing and I'd ask, 'What is that,'" Wat- son said. "I just put it aside and kept going. I then checked to see what was up and talked to the trainers. It took a while to figure out." The period of time where Watson didn't know what was going to happen next proved scary for the former prep standout. Watson, whose older brother, Ben Wat- son, plays with the Cleveland Browns, was forced to see a lot of doctors before his situation was properly diagnosed. "It was a relief to get a diagnosis finally, Watson redshirted last season, but now he is in the mix to get playing time at tight end for the Wolfpack. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN in three years, he had a huge gainer in the spring game. Watson caught an 86- yard pass for a touchdown during the 2010 spring game. The long run and catch for 74 yards this year was a good reminder of what he needed to do in the future. "I kept running and I got gassed at the 20- or 30-yard line," Watson said. "I wasn't in as good a shape as I thought I was. That one yard, I wish I had that. At that point, I the beach and for shopping, but the trip did not have many of the same amenities of home. "We saw the parts of Jamaica that most tourists don't see," said Watson, who raved about the food. "We were back in the coun- try towns and villages." Watson had previously gone on trips to Belize, Central America, France, England, Canada and inner city Los Angeles, since the "We were preaching the gospel to people and administering whatever was needed. It was a lot of fun to connect with people and to learn the culture." ■ Watson on his mission to Jamaica was glad I got that far. I won't make that same mistake during the season. I got a lot of flak from my teammates and coaches about that one yard." His redshirt year behind him, Watson is now in the hunt with fellow tight ends Mario Carter, Anthony Talbert and Benson Browne in trying to replace the departed George Bryan. NC State offensive coordinator Dana Bible thinks the redshirt year will end up paying off for Watson in the future. "It helped in a lot of ways," Bible said. "He's stronger, more sure of himself, but he's a little rusty because he's been away eighth grade. Giving back to others comes naturally for Watson, who also has helped serve the homeless in downtown Raleigh. Watson now has his sights set on help- ing NC State improve upon its 8-5 record last year. "I'm focusing on being the best tight end that I can be," Watson said. "I am really work- ing on that top spot. The great thing about it is that the spot isn't given to anybody yet. Nothing is set in stone and it's up for grabs. "It feels good to be back in the swing of things. I feel more confident, more explo- sive and stronger. I think I'm in a lot better position than I was last year." ■ JULY 2012 ■ 53 from it for a year as far as working with the first offense. You can see he's older and stronger. That extra year has certainly man- ifested itself into a higher level of playing." Watson finished the semester strong and then took advantage of his free time after school ended to again help others. Watson, his girlfriend and some home- town friends spent seven days in Buff Bay, Jamaica, last May. The mission work was through Urban Discovery Ministries, which his father, Ken, started more than 10 years ago in Norfolk, Va. Watson spent his first six years in Norfolk before moving to Rock Hill, S.C. "We were preaching the gospel to people and administering whatever was needed," Watson said. "It was a lot of fun to connect with people and to learn the culture. We got to experience culture shock in different ways. It was a fun experience. This was a spur of the moment kind of trip." Watson and the group spent one day at