From Incarceration to Inspiration: CJ Stroud Transforms from a Family's Prison Sentence to NFL Stardom while Advocating for Prison Reform
CJ Stroud, a remarkable NFL rookie QB, is making waves both on and off the field With his father's incarceration for 38 years serving as a driving force, Stroud is now breaking records and using his platform to advocate for much-needed prison reform As he reflects on his journey, Stroud's voice cracks with emotion, revealing the immense hard work and dedication he has poured into reaching his potential
CJ Stroud's voice trembles as he acknowledges the journey of faith he's been on. "It's been a lot of hard work," he says, holding back tears. Stroud's emotional speech takes place on stage at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, in front of a large live audience and televised viewers.
He was recently chosen as the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. This marks the end of a journey that has taken him from family hardships to becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Throughout this journey, he has faced challenges such as his father being incarcerated, living in a cramped apartment above a storage unit with his single mother, and overcoming various obstacles that come with pursuing a career in football.
Its no wonder he is emotional.
"I dont have to be anything or be anybody else. I have to just be myself and be comfortable in my own shoes, comfortable in my own skin," Stroud said at the time.
Stroud poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Texans with the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
I really dont think Ive even touched my potential yet
In Week 13 of the NFL, Stroud confidently walks off the field at NRG Stadium in Houston, receiving praise from the fans who stayed behind to cheer for him. The 22-year-old newcomer successfully completed 16 out of 27 passes for 274 yards, including a touchdown, no interceptions, and an impressive 106.1 passer rating, leading the Texans to a narrow victory over the Denver Broncos.
Stroud may have every reason to feel overconfident or to boast about his own accomplishments. After all, he is leading the underrated Texans to the edge of a playoff berth with his own exceptional performances.
Stroud runs out onto the field ahead of the Texans' game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Tim Warner/Getty Images
However, that's not the case.
According to him, his parents, especially his mother, play a crucial role in keeping him grounded. Stroud even recalls a specific moment that he considers to be "pivotal" in his sports career - playing in a youth basketball championship game when he was 12 years old.
As the game heads into overtime, Stroud recalls the excitement from his team and fans over his standout performance at the end of the game. However, one person was not caught up in the excitement - his mom, Kimberly.
During a timeout in overtime, she came over to the bench, grabbed his jersey, and sternly reminded him to stay humble, threatening to take him to the bathroom if he didn't.
"I am now an adult and I understand the importance of humility. Even in moments of pride, I remind myself to stay grounded. My mother always keeps me in check. My parents have raised me to be a humble individual, knowing that success can be fleeting."
This mindset has been beneficial to Stroud both in his personal life and in his football career. Despite being a highly regarded prospect in high school and a finalist for the Heisman trophy twice at Ohio State, Stroud has always stayed humble and not let the spotlight affect him.
Stroud once again displayed his composure and strategic prowess in the impressive victory over the Broncos in early December. The win not only bolstered Houston's surprising playoff push, but also added to Stroud's record-breaking rookie year in the league.
Stroud celebrates a touchdown against the Broncos.
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Stroud broke the single-season rookie Texans franchise record for touchdown passes in Week 13 and was also leading the NFL in passing yards. If he maintained this position until the end of the season, Stroud would be the first rookie in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in passing yards.
In addition, over his last five games, Stroud had thrown for 1,740 yards - the most by a rookie in any five-game span in NFL history. He had already set the single-game rookie passing record earlier in the season.
"I'm going to need a few months to reflect and appreciate what we've accomplished so far," Stroud commented. "We're working hard right now, and I'm fully dedicated, alongside Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans, to leading the team to the playoffs. It's an amazing journey, and I feel fortunate to be performing at such a high level. I'm determined to keep that momentum going."
"I believe there's still so much potential within me that I haven't even tapped into. Every week, I find areas that need improvement, but I see it as a blessing to be recognized in a fiercely competitive league. I'm grateful to achieve this at a young age."
Stroud throws a pass in the first quarter against the New York Jets.
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Change
Stroud was primarily brought up by his mother as his father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, was convicted in 2015 for carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, evading an officer with reckless driving, and misdemeanor sexual battery. As a repeat offender, he was given a 38-year prison sentence.
Stroud endured living with his three siblings in a small apartment above a storage unit while his mother worked to provide for the family. Despite being told by a teacher that he had minimal chances of making it in the NFL, Stroud defied the odds and reached the pinnacle of his sport.
Stroud drops back to pass during the first quarter of the Ohio State Buckeyes' game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
According to Kimberly Stroud in a 2022 interview with Sports Illustrated, when his father left, he faced a choice - to let it motivate him to be the best or to succumb to it and become a statistic of a kid whose parent did something they shouldn't have.
"I sit and Im amazed at how resilient he is. CJ is the most amazing human I have ever met."
Kimberly Stroud
Stroud is now using his platform to advocate for prison reform, while also offering support for his father, often using the phrase "Free Pops" in his social media posts.
The United States incarcerates more people than any other nation on Earth, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, over half of inmates (57%) serve sentences of 10 years or longer. Additionally, one in seven individuals serving prison terms is serving a life sentence. These extended separations make the idea of nurturing soul-sustaining familial bonds nearly impossible.
Stroud took to Instagram in February to share that he had participated in a meeting for the non-profit REFORM Alliance, which is dedicated to reforming probation and parole systems to create tangible paths to employment and well-being. NFL rookie Bryce Young and social media influencer Kim Kardashian joined Stroud at the meeting. Reflecting on the experience, Stroud mentioned feeling blessed to have the opportunity to shed light on the need for prison reform and addressing the flaws within the criminal justice system. He expressed his personal connection to the issue and the impact it has had on families across the nation.
A picture of Stroud's cleats with the word 'REFORM' emblazoned on them.
Houston Texans player Stroud participated in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative, showcasing his passions off the field by wearing custom shoes with the word "REFORM" and the phrase "Free Pops."
After the Texans Week 9 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stroud addressed the harsh living conditions that some inmates have been subjected to, citing "rats, roaches." He also voiced his concerns about the overall state of the criminal justice system and his advocacy for change.
"I initially didn't want to bring this to light, but the state of our criminal justice system is unjust, and it's something that I feel compelled to speak out about more openly, because what he's experiencing is unacceptable," he expressed to reporters.
"Earlier this week, my dad called me," Stroud shared, "and we had a conversation. I'm hoping and praying for a change in his situation, and the people supporting reform are giving me some assistance. However, it's important to recognize that it's not just my dad's situation; the entire criminal justice system is tainted."
Stroud also expressed, "I'm praying to God for a miracle that my dad can be released and attend one of these games."
Stroud's journey is a story of perseverance and overcoming obstacles, all the while embracing the mantra, "Comparison steals joy." Both on and off the field, Stroud stands out with unparalleled achievements.
