The Pro Bowl quarterback, who led Houston to the NFL playoffs his rookie season, says an invitation from two of his college teammates marked a turning point in his Christian journey. CJ Stroud thrilled football fans last season with 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, winning a division title, making the Pro Bowl and setting multiple rookie records. Fans also recognized Stroud for something else: his strong faith, which he often mentioned in postgame interviews.
he Sports Spectrum Podcast He grew up in a Christian household but never really thought about faith until his college years, when Ohio State teammates Camryn Babb and Xavier Johnson invited him to church.
Within the first few minutes of praise and worship, he fell to his knees and cried, feeling deeply guilty that he was not on the right path with Christ.
“That’s when I thought, ‘Oh man, I’ve got to get back on track,'” Stroud said, “And that’s when I really started to seek out the presence of Christ in my life.”
He continued to attend church and met “great brothers in Christ” who encouraged him in his Christian walk.
“To be honest with you, if it weren’t for Jesus, I don’t know if I’d be here right now,” he said.
Stroud led Ohio State to the College Football Playoff and finished third in the Heisman voting as a senior. He was selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Last season, he tied the NFL record for most passing touchdowns in a playoff game by a rookie (3). During the regular season, he set the NFL record for most passing yards in a single game (470).
“My identity is not just about being a quarterback, it’s not just about the Houston Texans, it’s not just about football,” he told the Sports Spectrum Podcast. “First and foremost, I’m rooted in Christ and what Christ thinks of me. Secondly, I’m rooted in what my family thinks of me.”
“…My identity is through Christ [how] Can I serve each day to be more like Him and help those around me?
Stroud expressed amazement at Christ’s grace and mercy.
“I’m not perfect. I try to do my best and I try every day,” he told the Sports Spectrum Podcast. “God’s grace is sufficient. God’s mercy is great. We don’t deserve it, but, you know, He died on the cross for our sins and I’m really thankful for that because it means a lot.”
With reference to the message John 3:16Stroud asked, “What if that was your son? Could you do that? That’s my question.”
Stroud said he is “a passable football player” but that his real desire is to be a better Christian. He said he was recently convicted of using vulgar language.
“I was reading James 3 “Yesterday, I was trying to stop swearing. It’s hard, especially in this culture. … I can’t say I love God and still be a foul-mouthed person.”
Meanwhile, Stroud said he has tried to cultivate gratitude in his prayer life — “thanking God for the little things, like waking up every morning, having a conversation with a friend, drinking clean water.”
“I have been blessed to serve a gracious God, and no matter what I do, He loves me.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Nick Cammett/Stringer
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
