C.J. Stroud, the NFL rookie quarterback, recently listed himself among the league’s top five quarterbacks during the 2023 season. Alongside the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, he placed himself at the No. 3 spot in the NFL’s star QB list, showcasing his reliability and dominance in football. Since the Houston Texans selected him as the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27, 2023, he has been thrilling his fans without interruption.

But who are his constant supporters, and under whose influence did C.J. Stroud rise to NFL stardom? None other than his parents, Kimberly and Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, who encouraged him to play football and supported him throughout his NFL journey. Let’s delve into some interesting facts about C.J. Stroud’s parents.

Navigating obstacles despite father’s incarceration

The Houston Texans QB’s parents, Coleridge and Kimberly, have been the biggest inspirations in his life. His father, Coleridge, was a pastor at a church, and his mother, Kimberly, helped him become an NFL star. Since their marriage in 1997, they have shared four children together, including C.J., named Isaiah, Asmar, and Ciara. Despite parting ways in 2012, their divorce has not affected their children’s lives; they equally stand by their children whenever needed.

C.J. Stroud’s father, Coleridge, served as a former pastor at Life Application Christian Center, a church in Rancho Cucamonga, and has had a significant impact on his NFL son’s life. He nurtured the Christian faith in C.J. and motivated him to play football. However, Coleridge’s 38-year imprisonment put the QB in an awkward situation, leading him to deeply reflect on life’s adversities when he was only 13 years old. Coleridge pleaded guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and carjacking in an incident related to drugs, under California’s three-strikes law in 2016.

During an interview with The Columbus Dispatch in September 2022, C.J. shared his learnings from his father. “People slip up… People make mistakes. As I’m getting older, I’m realizing how tough it is to be a man — not only a man, but a Black man in our communities. I think I thrive now at this age, just understanding that doing the right thing is the right way and letting God lead your life is the best way. That’s what I learned from my father,” he remarked.

Ohio State alum C.J. Stroud left NFL fans in awe with his 15 appearances during the 2023 season. He completed 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Moreover, as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2022, he impressed NFL enthusiasts with his noteworthy passer rating of 100.8, making it the third-best passer rating by a rookie. He achieved all this with his mother’s unwavering support and faith in him. The position he stands in today is all because of his mother.

C.J. Shroud’s rise to NFL stardom with mother’s support

The 22-year-old NFL QB has previously affirmed the immense support of his mom, Kimberly, who stood by him in the roles of both father and mother during the tough times when his father was in custody. “My mom, she had to play both roles for me for a while; mother and father. I’m super blessed to have a mother like I do,” C.J. stated during an interview with the NFL Network in 2023.

Earlier, C.J.’s mother revealed the Catholic faith in her QB son during an interview, asserting that the reason behind his stress-faith temperament is because of his faith. “Wherever God wants me to be, that’s what’s important. I mean, I know that He has a plan for my life, so whether I go 1, 2, 3 in the draft, wherever it’s at, I’m ready for it, and I’m blessed to be here,” C.J. remarked earlier.

As she split up with Coleridge in 2012, Kimberly raised her children alone. She took up a job as a property manager for a storage facility to become the breadwinner. According to his life details, C.J. never complained about the difficulties. He even hid blisters from wearing ill-fitting cleats so that he would not burden his mother further. Talking about his son, his mother remarked, “I sit and I’m amazed at how resilient he is. C.J. is the most amazing human I have ever met.” In January 2024, Kimberly witnessed the iconic moment in C.J.’s life when he became the youngest QB to win an NFL playoff game, as the Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns in the AFC wild-card round. In November 2023, the Stroud family also launched the C.J. Stroud Foundation, with Kimberly as the president.