In a remarkable debut season, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud showcased skills well beyond his rookie status. The 22-year-old displayed poise and talent on the field, earning admiration from fans, teammates, and even his opponents.
Despite his impressive performance on the field, Stroud has shown that he still has a youthful side off the field. In a league dominated by veterans, the young quarterback’s enthusiasm and love for the game are refreshing to see.
One of those veterans who has taken notice of Stroud’s talent is Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams recently expressed his admiration for Stroud in a tweet, highlighting the young quarterback’s growing fanbase.
“It’s humbling,” remarked Stafford in a recent interview. “I remember being in their shoes thinking the same thing about [Hall of Fame QB] Brett Favre and [Hall of Fame QB] Peyton Manning when I got to go against those guys at the beginning of my career. I’m not putting myself in that same breath, but the older guys. It was a really cool experience.”
Stafford reflected on his own experiences facing legendary quarterbacks like Favre and Manning early in his career. He recalled moments when those players expressed their admiration for him, and he couldn’t believe it.
“I’ll never forget playing Brett when he was in Minnesota and I was in Detroit, and he came up to me and was like, ‘Hey man, I’m a big fan.’ I’m like, ‘You can’t say that to me, right? I’m the fan of you. I’ve been watching you play for forever.’ So, it is cool. It’s humbling that these guys are paying attention and as big of fans as they might be of me, I wish nothing but the best for those guys.”
Stafford’s humility and respect for the game shine through in his interactions with younger players like Stroud. As a veteran quarterback with years of experience under his belt, Stafford’s impact goes beyond the field, inspiring the next generation of NFL stars.
