As rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud stood at the podium after the Houston Texans’ victory over the New Orleans Saints in their final preseason game, he was asked about his feelings towards winning over the locker room in the four months he had been with the organization.
“Honestly, I think that means a little more,” said Stroud. “Something about football, I think everything kind of happens naturally. Like either you’re going to play good or you’re not. Whatever is going to happen happens. But locker rooms, those are where bonds and brotherhood and things that really mean something to me happen.”
Stroud was officially named the starter for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens after the Saints game as well, and on Monday, he received another honor from the coaching staff and teammates as he was named team captain along with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and safeties Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward.
“With C.J. earning the captain status, it says a lot about his teammates and what he’s done over a short period of time of being with these guys,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans who was also named a captain his rookie season with Houston. “The guys respect him. The locker room respects him; they look up to him.”
“Even though he’s a young guy, as I told our guys, you can be a leader. I don’t care if you’re a young guy; leadership doesn’t just go to the oldest guy in the room. It’s about [finding] who is the man that can get others around them to play better. And that’s what C.J. can do; that’s what he provides for our team.”
“It was a huge honor and a blessing being able to be a rookie and be able to be a captain,” said Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud about being named a captain. “I don’t take that lightly and I’m going to do my best to not only be the best person I can be.” #Texans #Sarge pic.twitter.com/ui68vPrilT
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) September 6, 2023
Throughout training camp, the 21-year-old has shown improvement and consistency, which goes a long way with players on both sides of the ball. Defensive back Steven Nelson loves his “Take Charge” attitude, while defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard raves about the leadership skills he has displayed ever since he stepped foot into NRG Stadium.
Stroud, who was selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, aimed high when he set his standards for rookie accomplishments, and being named captain was one of them.
“It was something that I had as a goal,” Stroud said in his press conference on Wednesday. “I think even more importantly, I don’t think it was given to me just because I’m the quarterback. I think from day one, I’ve been a vocal leader. I think I’ve led by example, as well. I’m taking strides every day, just trying to fix problems when they’re there, trying to help the coaches while being a coach on the field.
“It was a huge honor and a blessing being able to be a rookie and be able to be a captain. I don’t take that lightly, and I’m going to do my best to not only be the best person I can be but lead this franchise and this organization and this community like I know I should, and I plan to do such.”
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