C.J. Stroud learning how to balance life and faith with being face of the Texans

HOUSTON -- The offseason attack for Houston Texans backmost C.J. Stroud was clear: Stay retired of the spotlight arsenic overmuch arsenic possible.

Stroud was coming disconnected a play wherever helium admitted that the amusive of shot was missing astatine times. He dealt with much disapproval disconnected the tract portion taking a beating connected it -- suffering much backmost hits than astir anyone successful the league.

So alternatively of doing what Stroud did successful the 2024 offseason, helium constricted his nationalist appearances and focused chiefly connected football, household and his faith.

Stroud started the attack dating backmost to February, erstwhile helium was fixed the accidental to spell to his 2nd consecutive Pro Bowl arsenic an alternate -- but helium passed. He wasn't pleased with however helium played successful Year 2 aft a stellar rookie year, contempt his squad making it to the divisional circular of the playoffs. The decision, also, indirectly contributed to him staying retired of the spotlight.

"When you're young successful the NFL, trying to person amusive being around, you bask a batch of the antithetic things that it comes with," Stroud told ESPN. "And I deliberation I've conscionable grown arsenic a person. ... So I conscionable effort my champion to larn arsenic a antheral of God, archetypal and foremost, and then, conscionable arsenic an NFL backmost -- conscionable the things to bash and not to do."

That's not to accidental Stroud didn't be nationalist events -- similar being courtside during the Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors playoffs bid oregon being successful New York for Fanatics Fest successful June.

But this past offseason determination were little podcasts appearances, little partying with the stars and little documented trips crossed the world.

He's inactive lone 23, but Stroud is "still learning" however to navigate offseasons arsenic a look of a franchise. He besides wanted to region himself from definite lifestyles and temptations that travel with fame to beryllium much aligned with his faith.

"I've conscionable evolved and americium trying to support my religion and my narration with God astatine the forefront of my life," Stroud told ESPN. "And I can't beryllium doing a clump of antithetic things and doing that. It's precise hypocritical."

As for this season, things didn't rather spell arsenic planned successful the opener. The Los Angeles Rams held Stroud & Co. to zero touchdowns successful a 14-9 loss arsenic Stroud completed 19 of 27 passes for 188 passing yards and an interception.

With the Texans present preparing to instrumentality connected the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) connected "Monday Night Football" (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Houston volition look a stout antiaircraft enactment led by two-time Pro Bowl antiaircraft tackle Vita Vea. The Texans privation to support Stroud protected aft helium was sacked 3 times against the Rams and was pressured connected 41% of his dropbacks.

"Vita Vea is the feline that gets everything going," manager DeMeco Ryans said. "Adding [linebacker Haason Reddick] connected the outside, truly bully group. [Outside linebacker Yaya Diaby], ton of large players -- guys who tin get aft you successful the moving game, besides successful the passing game. ... We person our enactment chopped retired for us."

Whether Stroud's new-found equilibrium translates to the shot tract remains to beryllium seen, but Stroud's teammates and coaches noticed the caller approach.

"I truly consciousness similar helium conscionable went backmost to the basics for himself," wideout and draught classmate Xavier Hutchinson told...