This week on the Dad Spotlight we are bringing you Benjamin Watson, tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, an ESPN and NFL Network commentator, a leading spokesman for All Pro Dad and NFL Father & Kids Experience, and the founder of One More, a foundation that helps to spread love and hope by meeting real needs, promoting education, and supporting local charities. Men like to have all the answers, so when it comes to first-time dads, it’s no surprise they have their fair share of anxiety about parenthood! NFL Super Bowl Champion Benjamin Watson found himself in the same boat when he and his wife were expecting their first child—unsure of how to emotionally support his pregnant wife, much less change a diaper or be a good father. He and his wife now have 5 children, all age 8 and under!   In his new book, The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life (Baker Books, May 2017), Watson walks fathers through everything they need to know about parenthood, from pregnancy to childbirth to child-rearing.
About Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, an ESPN and NFL Network commentator, a leading spokesman for All Pro Dad and NFL Father & Kids Experience, and the founder of One More, a foundation that helps to spread love and hope by meeting real needs, promoting education, and supporting local charities. A finalist for Walter Payton Man of the Year, Watson is deeply engaged in the community through his work with the NFL, its organizations and his own, and he is one of the league’s most active members in both traditional and social media, with more than 300,000 Facebook fans.
He is the author of Under Our Skin and has appeared on “Dr. Phil,” “The Rachael Ray Show,” CNN, Fox News, and many more. USA Today has said that Watson “illustrates the power of the platform that many players possess, but few are prone to use to address social issues. He is a shining example of how to put resources that come from his status as an NFL player to good use.” He lives in Maryland with his wife, Kirsten, and their five kids.

In speaking with Benjamin Watson we loved hearing him talk about his five kids and how the family is the building block of our society. Two kids ago his wife said that he should write a playbook for new dads to help new dads to be better dads. In going through the process of writing he was able to share some great experiences that he has had as well as provide new dads with a true playbook with practical examples and advice for not only how to be a good dad, but also how to be a good husband and man.
Benjamin Watson stated that response to the book has been tremendous, people have shared their challenges and shared their feedback with him. Some of the people have said that even though they have multiple children that this guide has helped them reconnect their relationship with their significant other. Being a dad necessitates that you get out of your comfort zone. You need to get out of your comfort zone and do things that you may not want to do. To be a leader, you have to listen and not just be a fixer. This is especially important in your relationship with your significant other. Benjamin mentioned that you have to understand what are other people’s needs and be a servant to others. In the end being a dad and father is not about you but about both you and your significant other and the team that you are creating in your family.
Benjamin Watson has a lot going on both personally and professionally but through all of this he finds balance within his life. Balance to him is about being 100% in any role that you are playing. As he stated, “you can be 100% invested as a dad and 100% in your profession. The kids benefit from seeing dad connected to work but once home,