Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Opens Up: Father, Prison Reform & Record-Setting Day

Instead of talking about his success on the field, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud spent some time talking about what matters to him off of it - including his father and prison reform.

HOUSTON - C.J. Stroud had the most productive day of any rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL on Sunday in the Houston Texans' 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium.

In that game, Stroud threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Texans on a miracle - and perhaps season-saving - scoring drive with just 46 seconds to go in regulation.

But instead of focusing on himself and his accomplishments with the media after the game, Stroud wanted to take the time to talk about something that matters to him a great deal more - prison reform. … Most specifically as it relates to the case of his father Coleridge Bernard Stroud III.

“Our criminal justice system isn’t right, and it’s something that I need to probably be a little more vocal about because what he’s going through is not right,” Stroud said on Sunday. "I think just letting it be known that it’s not just my dad’s situation, but the whole criminal justice system is corrupt.”

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud's father is currently serving a 38-years-to-life sentence after putting in a guilty plea for charges of carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery in a 2015 incident.

C.J. was just 13 years old at the time of his father's arrest; he is the youngest of four children.

And it has been something Stroud has been struggling to cope with ever since.  

“What I’ve been battling with is trying to still be a family man, still help out, and still be a football player and do my job,” Stroud said after his record-setting day. “It’s been tough.”

Since the arrest of his father, followed by his quick rise to a star NFL prospect, Stroud has largely carried the burden of supporting his mother and brothers. 

Fortunately, he is now in a position to help support that family, as well as to use his platform for good to help his father, and others in similar situations. 

“I got to talk to my dad a little bit this week,” Stroud said. “And 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.”