CJ Stroud has been one of the most phenomenal rookies in the league. Stroud is not short of shying away from the headlines, but that’s because of his athletic prowess. Despite his successful football career, he is dealing with something that many NFL players are not. It’s commendable how he keeps his head down while playing the game despite his personal obstacles.
A post from Dov Kleiman highlights an emotional aspect of CJ Stroud’s family life, and it’s safe to say that the QB is dealing with a lot of things right now. One thing that bothers him the most is the fact that his father is in prison. It’s tough to deal with, but Stroud seems to be taking it one day at a time.
CJ Stroud and his quandaries
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It’s a dream of parents to watch their kids prosper and make something out of their lives. It’s even better if their kid is a famous rookie QB for the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, Stroud’s father never got to watch him play live any games since his college career. Sadly, this is because his father is serving a 38-year prison sentence and will not be eligible for parole till 2040. Amidst this, Stroud has held out and has been a family man because of his father’s absence.
Hopefully #Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud gets a chance to have his father watch him live in a game during his career ❤🤞
His father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, has not seen Stroud’s play even once in college or in the NFL as he's currently serving a 38-year sentence and isn't… https://t.co/V8NqLsYa7M pic.twitter.com/VVDuuUXctx
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 10, 2023
In a conversation with CBS Sports, Stroud shares more about his situation. “I got to talk to my dad a little bit this week. I’m praying to God that something can happen, that he can get out and come to one of these games. I’ve been praying for him a lot,” Stroud told CBS Sports. It’s been quite a journey. His family has been struggling financially because his dad is incarcerated. This has put a lot of pressure on the rookie, both in his personal life and his professional career.
“That’s what I’ve been battling with, trying to still be a family man… and still be a football player and do my job,” mentioned Stroud in the interview. Stroud’s father has been in prison since about 2015, and being the breadwinner, he had to make ends meet. Seeing him perform like he did against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is impressive.
The unstoppable QB
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His last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been one of his best games this season. It doesn’t seem like he is a rookie, considering how he passed for a whopping 470 yards in a single game, amassing 5 touchdowns in the process. Also, he made 30 out of 42 passes in the game and came out with a completion rate of 71.4%. Though the game was close, the final 39-37 score got the Texans to a 4-4 record as they became the second-ranked team in the AFC South.
Hopefully, there will be some change in his family’s situation for the better so that he can focus on being the absolute best on the field without any worries. However, he would have to struggle with his circumstances and juggle his personal and professional life without any hiccups. Undoubtedly, he is giving his absolute best to take the Texans to the top.
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What’s your favorite play from CJ Stroud from the Buccaneers game?
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