After starting the season 0-3, the Houston Texans went on to finish 12-5 to secure a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs. It’s easy for the kudos to go to the players and coaches, but C.J. Stroud and his teammates are crediting their success to something far greater. Heading into Monday’s matchup against the Steelers, Texas quarterback C.J. Stroud spent most of his time at a recent press conference discussing his salvation instead of gridiron schematics. “I just got to give God the glory, man,” Stroud said. “I look back at my life, I look back at everything I’ve been through. I know he’s had his hand on me, even in times where it doesn’t feel like it.” Stroud made it clear, though, that the team isn’t praising God in hopes of winning more football games. “I don’t want it to ever be confused. I don’t think God is like, ‘The Texans are going to win,’ but I think regardless of win or loss, He gets the glory, and that’s up to us,” Stroud said. “And that’s just worship.” Stroud has been open about his faith throughout his career. Even as a college standout and a two-time Heisman finalist for Ohio State, faith was integral to him. In 2023, he told Fox News that faith kept him “grounded.” “It’s what’s kept me grounded even through my season,” Stroud said. “Football has a lot of ups and downs, it has a lot of twists and turns, but at the end of the day, it’s all about your foundation. And something that’s set my foundation is my faith. It’s something I’m not perfect in, but I try to work everyday to be better, and I definitely think that’s what saved me. If it helps encouraging anybody to help them in their lives, whatever they’re going through, then I’m all for it.” Now, ahead of this year’s playoffs, he has turned his podium into a pulpit. “It’s just not because we all follow Jesus that we just win every game. I think it shows the world when you lose and you’re not doing well, how you profess your faith or how you go about your life when things aren’t going great is the testimony,” Stroud said. It hasn’t always been a smooth road for Stroud in the NFL. In 2023, he missed games late in the season due to the NFL’s concussion protocol. He missed three games earlier this season with a concussion as well. Still, his faith remains strong. “You don’t really learn on mountain tops. You know, you really, most of the time …  you learn in valleys.” This season, however, has been a success for Houston Texans’ Head Coach Demeco Ryans and Stroud, who both had their best regular-season finishes as the team’s coach and signal caller. “The Lord has really had his hand on this team from our head coach all the way down to our players,” Stroud said. “I’m just really grateful God has put us together on this 2025-2026 Texans team.” “The light is shining bright on the Texans, but that light is really reflective of our guys’ belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Ryans also said. Stroud now prepares to go against the four-time NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card showdown, where faith will remain the motivating factor for Stroud to achieve greatness. “It’s not because we want favor from the Lord, even though you know that would be nice,” Stroud said. “I think Him giving us our talents, our abilities, and these jobs … He’s more than worthy of all the worship.” Kickoff between the Texans and Steelers is at 8 p.m. ET Monday night.

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