How Texans QB C.J. Stroud Ended Up in the NFL: ‘It’s a Blessing’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud shared how he discovered his love for football and what his journey to the NFL looked like.
“My childhood was great,” Stroud began. “I mean, I had a good support system at my home. Grew up playing sports with my mom and dad in my life. Football came in the picture probably freshman and sophomore year in high school, and I really didn’t know how good I was until I kind of started playing at these camps and doing things like that, and I didn’t really start taking it seriously until my sophomore year.”
During his senior year of high school, Stroud committed to Ohio State.
“It was probably the hardest thing to do,” he reflected. “Just not being close to home. Two thousand miles away, cold, not really a lot of family out there. It’s really on my own, and that’s kind of what I wanted. I wanted to be challenged and have to compete and have to earn everything, so that’s why ultimately I went to Ohio State, and I’m just really proud to be a Buckeye and blessed that I went there.”
“Even though it was tough, it was hard, schedules flying everywhere, being all around the country and talking to so many people,” he added. “It was hard, but at the same time, it’s hard work at the end of the day because you dream about doing it. So, it’s a blessing to have the opportunity. I know plenty of kids would love to be in my shoes, so I’m just grateful to have that opportunity.”
When it came time for the NFL Draft, Stroud was the second pick for the Houston Texans in 2023.
“I really didn’t know where I was gonna go,” he admitted. “I was blessed enough to get picked to the Texans. It was definitely one of the places I did want to go to. It was amazing to be able to already kind of know some players on the team and meet some of them on my visits and get a relationship with people here already. So, kind of just a blessing.”
Throughout his rookie season, Stroud has credited God for his success.
“It’s a blessing. I can’t do nothin’ but just thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said following the Texans’ Jan. 6 win.
“I’m just blessed enough to be the vessel that Christ picked to lead this great franchise. I can do nothing but just thank the Lord,” Stroud added.
While the Texans lost in the playoffs, the quarterback still looked to God. Movieguide® recently reported:
Despite missing the chance to play in the Super Bowl, Stroud said he’s relying on his faith and gave God the glory for his success this season.
“It’s what I lean on through thick and thin,” he said of his faith. “I know I’m upset right now, but I’m really just blessed looking back on this year, this opportunity we had today to play in front of millions of people. I’m just really grateful to God on all the opportunities He’s blessed me with.”
“I’m just gonna lean on Him, and I know that this isn’t the end for me,” he added. “It’s a lot of more football for me to play, and I’m just excited for that. And I’m super blessed with the guys who I lined up with every week this year. And I’m just really thankful to God on how much He’s brought me from – I can go all the way to when I was a kid to college to Week 1 to now. I’ve grown as a person and as a man of God in a lot of different ways. I’m just really blessed for that.”
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