C.J. Stroud was cool and collected on the Houston Texans’ final drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.
HOUSTON — There is always time to talk with your best friend, even with 46 seconds left in the game trailing 37-33 at home.
Before C.J. Stroud joined the Houston Texans’ huddle to mount a game-winning drive over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the rookie quarterback visited with defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
“They had scored, gave us 46 seconds left, and he [Greenard] was walking off the field,” said Stroud during his postgame press conference. “Every time I walk off the field and I’m not feeling the best, I know the look, and he had that look. I made him stop, made him look me in my eyes, and I said, ‘Hey, bro, I’ve got you.’
“They’ve done that for me when my head was down; they went and got a stop and gave us the ball back, and we either did something with it or we didn’t. This time, I wanted to let him know just like you’re here for me, I’m here for you.”
Those words of affirmation from Stroud were reciprocal, as Greenard made a similar positive statement after the Texans lost their season opener to the Baltimore Ravens. Before Stroud headed to the podium after the game, Greenard, a four-year veteran, told Stroud, “Keep your head up because we are going to need you to be you as the season goes on.”
As Stroud headed toward the huddle with the fans in the background screaming in anticipation of what was about to happen, one person in the stands just watched and smiled because she already knew what was happening. Kimberly Stroud, C.J.’s mother, has witnessed similar situations that her son has been in, with his team counting on him to lead the way.
Whether in person or watching it on television, she knows that the No. 2 overall pick has always been a leader and does not fold under pressure.
“When he was playing in Junior All-American when he was younger, his nickname was, ‘Cool Breeze,’” said Mrs. Stroud about her son’s demeanor. “He is always cool. He will have emotions before the game, but during the game, he plays with a different attitude. He is a natural-born leader.”
The Texans got a glimpse of what Stroud was capable of in late-game situations in a Week 5 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Trailing 18-12 in the fourth quarter, the former two-time Heisman Trophy Finalist put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Schultz. The defense could not stop the Falcons offense as they drove the field to kick a 37-yard field goal as time expired.
This time around, Stroud would not be denied the moment he was destined to have. His team needed it, but most importantly, the fans in attendance needed it to help restore faith in the organization. So, as he broke the huddle, Stroud let faith take its course. Six plays, 75 yards later, he found wide receiver Tank Dell for the lead-changing touchdown.
“Honestly, I was just trying to stay cool, calm, and collected, one play at a time,” Stroud said about his touchdown drive. “I told those boys up front, ‘Y’all, give me just a little time, I’m going to make them pay.’ I know they didn’t just give me a little time; they gave me a lot of time, so that helped a lot. I just told them, ‘We’re going to go win this game. I don’t know if y’all believe it or not, but I know I believe it, and I know if you look at me in my eyes, y’all can tell.’ We went out there, and we did it, and by the glory of God, now we’re 4-4.
Stroud finished the game 30-of-42 for 470 passing yards and five touchdowns. His passing yards set the new NFL record for rookie passing yards, surpassing the previous record set by Marc Bulger (453) in 2002. They were also the most passing yards in franchise history through four quarters and the third-most in a game, trailing only Matt Schaub, who threw for 527 and 497 in two overtime victories.
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