Tattoos Show Meaning of Veterans Day for Packers’ Christian Watson

Christian Watson has several military members in his family who helped make him the man he is today. One stood out enough for him to get a permanent reminder.

Every family likely has someone who is an influencer for how traditions are carried forward.

Some people are fortunate enough to have more than one.

November is Salute to Service month in the NFL. For some, the league’s annual attempt to honor the men and women who serve the country in the military means little more than adding a hoodie to their Christmas shopping lists.

Others might not even notice.

For Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson, this month carries a special significance, with a bond between family members that spans generations. The military values of hard work, sacrifice and dedication played a role in Watson becoming the man he is today.

“I definitely think having a really disciplined family as a kid, not a lot of BS that was going to slide.” Watson said this week.

“We were definitely in line growing up. There was a line for that. I didn’t have the strictest parents, but we learned right from wrong. We were a military family on my dad’s side, as well, so it came from both sides that trickled down from the family tree.”

One of the influential people in the Watson family used to be called a lot of things but, to Christian and older brother Tre, he was known as “Grampy.”

“Grampy,” more commonly known as Jeffrey Armstrong Sr., was a United States Marine Corps staff sergeant.

When he wasn’t holding his ground to keep America safe, he was the great-grandfather to Christian and Tre Watson. The grandfather to their mother, Christa.

Armstrong passed away in 2014, when both boys were young.

The passing of a relative can lead to a variety of ways to honor their memory.

Some establish yearly traditions to keep that memory alive.

For the Watson brothers, it was a special coincidence.

Tattooed on the bicep of Christian and Tre is the Marine Corps logo, surrounded by the slogan of the Marines, Semper Fi, and Rest in Paradise.

Christian and Tre Watson's great-grandfather, Grampy / Photo Courtesy of Watson Family

Tre Watson, a former All-American linebacker at Maryland who has played in the CFL, XFL and USFL, got his tattoo first, and Christian followed.

It wasn’t planned that way, rather a happy coincidence.

“I’m a little upset that Christian’s looks a bit better than mine.” Tre Watson joked.

More important than style was the substance behind it.

“Grampy was part of our lives and a very special part of my mom’s growing up, as well,” Tre continued. “Meant a lot to us, and we were able to use to immortalize him and keep his memory going on moving forward.”

Christian’s perspective on the tattoo is similar.

“Growing up, I was really close with him, and he passed away when I was young. I did a lot of things with him. Hanging out with him, he loved golfing, so we’d go golfing,” Christian said.

“I wanted a tattoo that displayed what meant a lot to him. I think he took a lot of pride that he was in the Marines. I had multiple family members in the military that served, as well. I wanted to do something that signified who he was, what he cherished and what he took pride in. I think he took a lot of pride in serving the country.”

The Veterans Day holiday, which is Saturday this year, and the NFL’s annual Salute to Service commemoration honor those who served in the military.

For Christian Watson, it was the perfect time for his breakthrough moment.

At this time last year, the start to Watson’s NFL career was an uphill battle.

Watson’s biggest moment up until last November was a drop on national television against the Minnesota Vikings. The first play of his career. Watson would have had a touchdown on the play; instead, he struggled to find confidence after the drop.

Everything changed for him in the first game following Veterans Day last season.

The date was Nov. 13, 2022. The opponent was the Dallas Cowboys.

Watson was given two opportunities early in the first half. Both targets resulted in incompletions, including another drop.

By the end of the game, nobody would have believed Watson’s final stat line:

Four catches, 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Christian Watson pulls off the hat trick against the Cowboys…#DALvsGB #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/UAJXib656a

— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) November 14, 2022

The best game of his career to date came during a month that is special to him and his family.

“The game itself was super-special,” Watson said, “but anytime you can find a way to relate something to something else or add a little something to it makes it more special. Fact that it was around Veterans Day is very special.”

Playing around this time of year is something special for the Watson brothers. They have used it to find ways to show their appreciation for those in the military, but it also gives them some extra motivation when they are on the field.

“It’s a chance we get to honor them and everyone else who fought for our country and did all those things,” Tre Watson said.

“There’s some extra weight there and a special day to give extra thanks for the role Grampy played. Getting us here and being part of our lives.”

Christian echoed the sentiments of his brother. Salute to Service month is special.

“We did a tribute to active-duty military, and it means a lot. It’s hard to find ways to thank people who are going out and risking lives for us,” he said.

“I get to play a game for fun and people out there risking their lives to be able to do this, so I definitely try to find ways to say my things and show my gratitude toward the people who made those sacrifices.”

A powerful perspective, and something both men live out with a permanent reminder tattooed on their arms.

Tre Watson's tattoo / Photo Courtesy the Watson Family

Christian Watson's tattoo / Photo Coursey the Watson Family

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