Rookie phenom C.J. Stroud has led the Houston Texans to an AFC South division title, guiding the team to a shocking 10-7 record in a year where most expected the Texans to finish in the basement.
After the Texans’ playoff-clinching win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18, Stroud sent a heartfelt message where he credited his faith in God for his incredible campaign.
“It’s a blessing. I can’t do nothing but just thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Stroud told ESPN’s Lisa Salters. “I’m just blessed enough to be the vessel that Christ picked to lead this great franchise. So I could do nothing but just thank the Lord.”
Stroud has enjoyed a fantastic rookie season, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.9 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 100.8 in 15 starts. He also led the league with 273.9 passing yards per game.
The 22-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Ohio State, was selected by Houston with the second overall pick of the NFL Draft last spring.
Stroud has always worn his faith on his sleeve. Almost literally.
On his wrist band, the youngster wears a cross, the number 777, a faith quote and Proverbs 3:5-6. He also wore a Jesus t-shirt during his postgame press conference following the win over the Colts.
“Jesus laid His life on the cross for us, I really believe that,” Stroud said, via One Way Global TV. “This is bigger than just football. Football is my platform. Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is my purpose.”
C.J. Stroud will get the chance to continue using football as his platform when he and the Texans battle the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
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