Quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans not only is running away with the NFL rookie of the year award but also is being mentioned as a potential most valuable player. Stroud, an outspoken Christian who hasn’t been afraid to share the name of Jesus, talked after a recent game about how God has been with him through hurdles in life.
“For me, it’s a lot of prayer,” he said. “A lot of just knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I can’t handle. I don’t deserve his grace and his mercy, but he still gives it to me, and I love him for that. I think God made me like that.”
Stroud’s father, a former pastor, is serving a 38-year prison sentence in California after pleading guilty in 2015 to carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and misdemeanor sexual battery, At the time, Stroud was a middle school student. With the breadwinner of the family in jail, the family reportedly experienced financial struggles and housing insecurity.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud for his poise. “The thing about C.J. is it’s the calm in the chaos,” Ryans said. “He doesn’t waver. He’s confident that he’s going to make plays, and the moment isn’t too big for him.”
After winning his first game in the NFL earlier this season, Stroud told the media that his purpose is to share the gospel and Jesus Christ. “I’ll do that,” he said. “I think that’s what God wants/
Stroud expressed gratitude to his teammates and coaches, sharing how “amazing” it is to have mutual trust reciprocated through actions. He also praised his and his teammates’ families.
“Shout out to our families,” he said. “We put in a lot of work, and our families do a great job of supporting us in that way. I love my family. I know the rest of my teammates can say the same. It’s not just us. It’s the city of Houston behind us, our families behind us, the guys’ kids, their wives, my family, my parents. A lot of people are behind us in this thing, and I think we are proving a lot of people right who believe in us.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice