Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has been at the heart of a heartbreaking plea, with the reason now clear
19:58 ET, 20 Oct 2025Updated 19:58 ET, 20 Oct 2025
C.J. Stroud's dad was sentenced in 2016 to 38 years to life
View 2 Images
CJ Stroud's dad was sentenced in 2016 to 38 years to life(Image: Getty)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been a sensation since his second overall entry into the league, bagging the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and steering his team to consecutive playoff runs.
Yet, behind the 24 year old's stellar performance at high school, college, and the NFL, lies a tale of resilience and personal hardship. His father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, is serving a 38-year-to-life sentence.
Article continues below
Stroud was merely a 13 year old middle schooler when his father was put behind bars in 2016, following charges related to carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery tied to a drug-related incident. Despite this family adversity, the quarterback turned it into a force for good.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Broncos star hit with NFL suspension for behavior after Giants thrillerREAD MORE: Texans-Seahawks late kickoff time explained in latest NFL MNF double-header
Stroud leverages his platform to share his faith and set an example for young people who might find themselves in similar circumstances. The quarterback is also a vocal advocate for prison reform, often sporting custom "FREE POPS" cleats during games. He has spoken emotionally about his father, who will be up for parole in 2040.
"That's what I've been battling with, trying to still be a family man ... and still be a football player and do my job," Stroud shared.
"I got to talk to my dad a little bit this week. 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."
Why is C. J. Stroud's dad in prison?
Stroud's father is currently behind bars, serving time for a 2015 conviction on multiple charges, including carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, and misdemeanor sexual battery. The case stemmed from a drug-related incident in San Diego, where Stroud reportedly forced his way into a woman's car while she was stuck in traffic, demanding she drive him to purchase drugs.
The woman managed to escape, later reporting to police that she had been assaulted. Stroud fled the scene, leading cops on a chase that concluded when he crashed the vehicle into a pole and dove into the San Diego Bay in an attempt to dodge capture.
C.J. Stroud is the franchise quarterback of the Houston Texans
View 2 Images
C.J. Stroud is the franchise quarterback of the Houston Texans(Image: Getty)
However, court records reveal this wasn't his first encounter with the law. In the early 1990s, he racked up several convictions for drug possession, armed robbery, receiving stolen property, and attempted robbery.
How long is C.J. Stroud's dad's sentence?
Coleridge Bernard Stroud III is currently serving a hefty 38-year prison sentence after admitting guilt to carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, and misdemeanor sexual battery charges.
This marks his second time behind bars, following earlier convictions decades ago. Stroud, who is incarcerated at Folsom State Prison, won't be eligible for parole until 2040, when he hits the age of 74.
Article continues below
What has Stroud's mom said?
"He had a choice when his father went away," said Stroud's mother, Kim. "He was going to let that motivate him and be the best or he was going to succumb to it and become a statistic of a kid whose parent did something they shouldn't.
"I sit and I'm amazed at how resilient he is. C.J. is the most amazing human I have ever met."