Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has exploded out of the gate in 2023. The No. 2 overall pick set numerous rookie passing records last season en route to the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. year.

Every time Stroud steps onto the field, he does so with his father in mind. He said Taylor Rooks from Amazon he was the “spitting image” of his father when he was a child. This included not only their names – Coleridge Bernard Stroud – and their physical appearance, but also their state of mind:

“We are like the same person. Same type of heart, same compassion for people… (He) always instilled in me faith and hope… a very affectionate and loving father.

Since his name was passed down from his father, the “J” must stand for “Junior”.

CJ’s mother, Kimberly, confirmed their connection to Rooks:

“CJ was always very close to his father…(his father) was his best friend.”

However, CJ’s opinion changed when his father was arrested for a “drug-related carjacking incident” in 2015. Stroud informed Rooks that he “felt betrayed.” He added that the incident had made him a “cold-hearted person” and that he was “ashamed” and “embarrassed” by his father’s actions.

Initially, CJ let what happened affect her negatively. But then he channeled his suffering into more positive activities, notably sport.

“There wasn’t a day that went by that I wasn’t on that field working. {Or) in the weight room, trying to get better. (Or) watch a movie.

CJ went almost three years without speaking to his father. But eventually, while at Ohio State, he decided to forgive his father. And that took a huge weight off his shoulders.

“(Forgiveness) is about sacrifice…and being vulnerable. It’s like really accepting the truth. And I accepted my father’s faults. I accepted my father’s wrongdoing, and I accepted my wrongdoing…and I felt much better. This is the best I’ve felt in years. I feel like a child again.

Stroud got off to a strong start as a sophomore, completing 63.5 percent of his passes in nine weeks. He has 11 touchdown passes to just four interceptions and places Houston at the top of the AFC South (6-3).

He will look to bounce back from a poor performance in the Texans’ 21-13 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football next Sunday when Houston faces the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.