GREENVILLE, S.C. — Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson received the Jerry Richardson Community MVP Award Tuesday evening at the Seventh Annual South Carolina Coaches for Charity at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville.

The award is named in honor of former Baltimore Colts receiver and current Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

“They asked us to pick a community MVP and I don’t think I could pick a better one than Deshaun Watson,” Clemson head coach Dabo said prior to presenting Watson the award on Tuesday. “First of all, what he means to Clemson. What he means to this community. This state. Not only what he has done on the football field, but how he has represented Clemson. His community involvement, the example he has set as a young man that is five hours away from having his degree in two and a half years.”

Fisher DeBerry, a South Carolina native and Hall of Fame former head football coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, hosts the event through the Fisher DeBerry Foundation, which assists children of single parent families.

Football coaches from around the state were together for the evening, all in the name of charity. The list of college head coaches included Swinney, South Carolina’s Will Muschamp, The Citadel’s Brent Thompson, Wofford’s Mike Ayers, Furman’s Bruce Fowler and S.C. State’s Buddy Pough.

Each coach chose a charity that benefits from his participation, as well as his Jerry Richardson Community MVP Award honoree, who were recognized during the evening.

Watson had an outstanding year on the field, helping the Tigers to a 14-1 record and the ACC Championship. The Tigers finished second in both wire service polls after reaching the national championship game against Alabama.

Off the field, Watson received much acclaim for his work with Habitat for Humanity and was named to the ACC Academic honor roll. He is slated to graduate in December in just three years.

“The example he has made for the Habitat for Humanity, both through his own personal experience, his time and his energy to give back. I think he has quietly made a big, big impact,” Swinney said. “It is a good way to continue to encourage him to be a great role that he has been. Hopefully, he will encourage others by honoring him tonight.

“I think it is important because it just shows that people pay attention. It shows the difference you can make by using your platform in a positive way. Obviously, this is a good platform and that is what I love the most about Deshaun. I love who he is a person and how he handles himself. He is a great person who just happens to be a be a good football player, too. He understands the impact he has on how he handles himself and then his involvement with things in the community.”

Eric Mac Lain, one of the captains of Clemson’s 2015 team, was the recipient of the award last year.