C.J. Stroud isn’t just a rising star under center for the Houston Texans — he’s a young man who keeps pointing every ounce of his success to Jesus Christ, and hardworking Americans should take notice. The former Ohio State Buckeye has repeatedly used the national spotlight to give glory to his Lord and Savior, making it clear that football is a platform for his faith, not the center of his life. That kind of unapologetic Christianity is the kind of character our country needs more of.
After a dramatic game that left the city of Houston roaring, Stroud’s first words were not about stats or endorsements but praise: “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” He has said this publicly on multiple occasions, and he wears his beliefs openly — from interviews to the wristband that bears a cross and his favorite Scripture. When an NFL star refuses to hide his faith, it’s a refreshing antidote to celebrity culture.
So imagine the outrage when a major network trimmed that very line out of its social media clip, as NBC’s postgame video reportedly omitted Stroud’s reference to Jesus. This isn’t a minor editing quirk; it’s a clear sign that some in the media would rather sanitize Christianity out of public life than let a young Black quarterback speak plainly about his faith. Americans of all stripes should be alarmed when networks decide which beliefs are worthy of airtime.
Stroud himself has been plain about his purpose: football is the tool he’s been given to spread the Gospel, not the end in itself. “This is bigger than just ball,” he said, and he’s made it obvious he intends to use his platform to point people toward Christ rather than toward himself. That kind of humility and mission-mindedness is a rebuke to the vanity and selfishness that often dominate big-time sports.
He’s also talked publicly about spiritual goals for the coming year, saying he wants to be “locked in with the Lord” and to recommit through fasting, prayer, and church life in Houston — goals any decent American parent would be proud to hear from a young public figure. Stroud’s visible faith practices, including a wristband inscribed “To the Glory of God” and Proverbs 3:5-6, show this isn’t a PR act but a daily discipline. That steady devotion deserves encouragement, not erasure.
The real story here isn’t just one athlete’s testimony; it’s a test of whether a free society will tolerate public expressions of faith without the smothering hand of woke media gatekeepers. C.J. Stroud is doing what Christian Americans have always done: risking applause to point others to a higher truth. If the networks want to play censor, the rest of us should double down on cheering for faith, family, and the kind of humility that makes champions both on and off the field.
