Most people would struggle to write their life story in a single word, but CJ Stroud has no such trouble: Perseverance.
It’s what got him through the various trials and tribulations in his life en route to where he is today: the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning quarterback of the Houston, Texans, an AFC South champion, a Pro Bowl selection, and a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. It’s what continues to guide him through setbacks and adversity.
“To me, it comes down to this word that’s really been my life, my testimony,” Stroud told the crowd gathered Saturday at Bulldog Pit. “Everybody has a story; everybody’s going through something. […] But you can’t go through anything in this life by yourself. It takes prayer and communication.”
Stroud often credited his faith for his successes during his speaking engagement, a Red Zone event organized by local churches, businesses, individuals and the My Ashleah Foundation. When asked how he rebounds from setbacks as both an athlete and a man, Stroud said focus is key.
“That mindset that you won’t be denied no matter what life throws at you.”
Stroud said he once felt that playing football was his purpose but realized with the help of a friend that it’s merely his passion.
“You cannot be greedy or selfish with what God’s called you to be,” he told the crowd. “So I cannot ever in my life let my passion take over my purpose.”
The former Ohio State standout noted that, after his father was incarcerated when he was 11, his life could have taken another very different path. He credits his family, coaches, teachers, mentors and God with guiding him along the right one.
Artesia High School head football coach Jeremy Maupin was on hand for the event and noted that the program’s motto for the 2025 season will center around the concept of “culture.”
“We’re already part of a culture, we’re continuing to build a culture… how important is a culture in a locker room, and how do you build and maintain that year in and year out?” Maupin asked Stroud.
Stroud said that, in his mind, it boils down to two things: the people and the standard.
“What people do we have in the system and what standard are we holding each other to,” he said. “I want to be held accountable for everything, and that’s the standard.”
Stroud, a high school point guard and pitcher in addition to quarterback, also encouraged young athletes not to feel pressure to limit themselves to a single sport.
“Playing multiple sports is really a cheat code,” he noted. “There are a lot of good things about playing point guard — having the defender inf ront of you, being able to read the defense, make accurate passes, just like playing quarterback.
“In baseball, as a pitcher, there were different arm angles, different types of throws. […] If any of y’all kids out here are listening, play multiple sports. All things with a ball and a dream will get you to where you want to be when you add God into that, and that’s why I’m here today.”
Stroud also praised Artesia as a community that cares about its youth, saying he could “feel the love” the moment he arrived in town.
“The fact that you guys are pouring into the young people, that’s what we need,” he said. “It takes the younger generation to rise and to be the leaders, and it just keeps snowballing things. Social media has made it to where that stuff just hasn’t been cool anymore, and I challenge everybody in here to give back and give to the Lord. Even if it’s not much, not much in His eyes is a lot.”
Stroud, who has a long history of giving back to communities and individuals in need, also heads the CJ Stroud Foundation, launched by his mother. More information and options for donation can be found at cjstroudfoundation.com.
