Bielebe It

J.J. Watt hangs out with Justin Bieber, seriously: The NFL star and tween idolshare a bond

Justin Bieber and J.J. Watt got together in Houston.
J.J. Watt/Twitter
J.J. Watt in a more familiar, non-Bieber moment.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
J.J. Watt's tweet about his Bieber experience.
J.J. Watt/Twitter

Pigeonhole J.J. Watt at your own risk.

The Houston Texans' defensive star loves to surprise. How's this for a Devil's Night?

Watt spent his Halloween eve hanging out with Justin Bieber. Yes, the international pop star from Canada knew who he needed to seek out in his Houston visit: Watt, the game-changing, almost folklore figure from the Texans' Bulls On Parade defense.

Watt tweeted a picture of himself having a moment with Bieber for all you non-Bielebers.

So there is Watt hanging out backstage with Bieber before the tween idol's concert at the Toyota Center. Watt tweeted a picture of himself having a moment with Bieber for all you non-Bielebers.

It turns out the football star wasn't drawn as much by the lure of hearing "Baby" belted out to an arena full of adoring tweens (as shocking as that may be) as he was by a common cause. Watt and Bieber were both moved to act by the tragic story of the Berry kids, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a horrific car crash.

Watt has spent time with Peter, Aaron and Willa and Bieber is one of the leading figures in the international Show Your Hearts campaign that raised money for the kids' recovery and immense medical bills.

Before his Toyota Center show, Bieber tweeted:

in Houston a year later. still havent forgotten. #ShowYourHearts @berrychildren twitter.com/justinbieber/s…

— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) October 30, 2012

Watt tweeted his own thanks at Bieber for helping the Berry kids.

And it's not like Watt and Bieber couldn't talk a little sports too. Bieber fancies himself as a good basketball player, frequently playing in celebrity games. He won the MVP at the NBA's 2011 All-Star Celebrity Game and he could be back at Toyota Center in February when NBA All-Star weekend rolls into town.

Watt — who is on a regional cover of the new Sports Illustrated, which hits newsstands today — has a pretty good future in sports as well.

And he loves to represent H-Town. Watt wore a Houston Astros hat that seemed to have a version of the team's "new" star logo on it (hey, it's not like everyone else hasn't seen the leaked merchandise by now, why shouldn't Watt have it?) to the Bieber concert.

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chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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