CJ Stroud is doing well on-field but he is not satisfied with his life off-field because his father is in prison. Stroud recently earned praise from the basketball legend LeBron James for his incredible performance and also set an NFL rookie record with 470 yards and five touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.
After his phenomenal game in Week 9, instead of talking about his remarkable achievement, the QB chose to talk about his father.
CJ Stroud wants incarcerated father to attend his games
CJ Stroud’s father is serving a 38-year prison sentence and hasn’t seen him play since his college days. The QB recently shared that his father’s absence has led him to take on family responsibilities since a young age and has been a driving force behind his determination.
“What I’ve been battling with is trying to still be a family man, still help out, and still be a football player and do my job,” he previously said. “It’s been tough.”
While everyone is watching Stroud and appreciating him for his performance, his father is unable to watch his son on the field. Stroud badly wants his father to watch his games.
“I got to talk to my dad a little bit this week,” he said. “And I’m praying to God that something can happen that he can get out and come to one of these games. I’ve been praying for him a lot.”
Stroud, who earlier raised voice against the treatment he had to face pre-games also highlighted the deplorable conditions within American prisons, emphasizing the humane treatment of incarcerated individuals despite their crimes.
“Our criminal justice system ain’t right, man, and I didn’t want to make this public. I think I should speak up a little more about it because what he’s going through is wrong.”
While the quarterback was primarily concerned about his father, he also emphasized that he has watched some horrible videos of rat infestations in prisons, which is inhumane and criminals shouldn’t live in such horrible conditions.
CJ Stroud’s father can’t return to watch his games but actions should be taken to improve the prisons’ conditions. Although prisons are to punish criminals, the environment should still be survivable for human beings.
Reasons behind CJ Stroud’s father’s imprisonment
Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, CJ Stroud’s father, received a 38-year-to-life sentence after pleading guilty to charges of carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery in a drug-related incident in 2015.
The charges against CJ Stroud’s father stemmed from a drug-related event that culminated in his attempt to escape law enforcement by jumping into San Diego Bay.
This wasn’t the first time Coleridge faced legal trouble. He had a previous conviction, and this second offense had severe consequences for the family, leading them into financial distress.
Following his father’s imprisonment, the QB had to assume a significant role in providing for his mother and siblings due to his father’s absence.
Despite these challenges, Stroud managed to maintain his personal growth and football career. He entered his junior year of high school with minimal pass attempts and only one scholarship offer and this year he has signed a four-year contract worth $36,279,246 with the Texans.
CJ Stroud’s father’s imprisonment and financial hurdles didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams and accomplishing them. He still has a long way to go but with his determination and enthusiasm, there is no stopping for Stroud.
