Key Takeaways
- Stroud has openly discussed the difficulties of growing up as a young Black man.
- He described his life as a “roller coaster,” having gone through many challenges, including his father’s incarceration.
- He expressed his deep appreciation for his mother’s sacrifices during the NFL draft red carpet.
C.J. Stroud, an NFL quarterback for the Houston Texans, is believed to be of mixed ethnicity with African-American roots.
However, C.J. has not stated anything about his ethnicity. Furthermore, his parents’ ethnic background remains unknown.
But, there has been discussion about his ethnicity and lineage. Talking about it, one X user wrote:
CJ stroud is Black. His parents are light skinned. We need to talk about how we can no longer tell light skinned Black folk from mixed ppl because they’ve all been lumped together
Via X
Another wrote:
CJ is biracial. You can’t just look at his parents and stop there! 😂 You don’t get skin that light without a recent white or hispanic family member.
Via X
Although his heritage is a topic of discussion, Stroud chooses not to disclose it publicly.
Nonetheless, his birth name, Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV, traces back to a Greek philosopher from the 1800s, inherited from his great-grandfather.
Stroud has openly spoken about the challenges he faced growing up as a young Black man in America, especially in Southern California, highlighting how his racial identity shaped his upbringing.
He often reflects on the struggles he encountered due to his race, using them as motivation to push forward in his football career.
Despite the obstacles, his determination and faith helped him achieve success in football.
Raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, he experienced family hardships that had a lasting impact on his life and career.
C.J. described his life as a “roller coaster” and said he has “been through hell and back.”
C.J. Stroud: The Role of His Parents in Shaping His NFL Journey
C.J. Stroud, born to Kimberly Stroud and Coleridge Bernard Stroud III on October 3, 2001, is an American by nationality.
He is the youngest of four children, with older siblings Isaiah, Asmar, and Ciara.
His father, once a pastor at the Life Application Christian Center, introduced Stroud to football.
In 1997, Stroud’s parents got married, and their marriage lasted until his mother, Kimberly, filed for divorce in 2012.
In 2016, his father received a 38-year-to-life sentence for kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery under California’s three-strikes law. At that time, Stroud was only 13.
Afterward, Kimberly stepped in as the primary caregiver, prioritizing her children’s academics and athletic development.
His father is serving his sentence at Folsom State Prison, with parole eligibility set for 2040.
In a 2018 appeal, Coleridge referred to himself as having “spent nearly 20 years as a successful businessman, pastor, homeowner, husband, and father.”
He also mentioned that his life fell apart after Kimberly filed for divorce, leading him to relapse after 20 years of sobriety.
Despite being incarcerated, Coleridge continues to have a strong influence on C.J. C.J.
He has reflected on the lessons his father taught him, saying:
People slip up… People make mistakes. As I’m getting older, I’m realizing how tough it is to be a man — not only a man, but a Black man in our communities. I think I thrive now at this age, just understanding that doing the right thing is the right way and letting God lead your life is the best way. That’s what I learned from my father.
Via Dispatch
C.J.’s parents, through their faith and life challenges, played a crucial role in shaping him into the resilient and determined athlete he is today.
During the NFL draft red carpet, C.J. Stroud expressed gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices and his sister’s loving support. He said:
My mom, she had to play both roles for a while, both mother and father. And my sister has been nothing but supportive through everything, through thick and thin. So I’m super blessed to have a mother like I do. She’s beautiful. That’s where I get my looks from.
Via Sportskeeda
In Case You Didn’t Know
- His football journey at Rancho Cucamonga High led to his selection for the 2020 All-American Bowl.
- In 2021, C.J. became the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback and led them to a 10-2 regular-season record.
- On April 27, 2023, the Houston Texans picked Stroud second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
