C.J. Stroud quickly became a favorite among Houston Texans fans, teammates, and coaches during his dazzling rookie season in 2023. He didn’t just impress on the field but also made a significant impact during his interactions with the media. Stroud's charisma and professionalism earned him the “Good Guy Award” by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) on Wednesday. This honor makes Stroud the 20th recipient and the first Texans player to receive it, edging out finalists like Joel Bitonio, Dion Dawkins, Brandon Graham, and Dak Prescott.
Stroud released a heartfelt statement upon receiving the award, saying, “It’s a blessing to be recognized as the PFWA Good Guy Award winner, and it stands out to me because it’s more of an award that embodies someone’s character rather than the stats they compile on the field. I appreciate the job the media has and thank them for choosing me as someone who is deserving of this honor.”
Why Stroud Deserved the Award:
- Professionalism: Stroud is always available for media interactions during the week and after games, win or lose. He understands the importance of the media's role and answers every question thoroughly.
- Community Involvement: Stroud actively contributes to the Houston community, recently volunteering to remove trees and clean up debris in underserved areas after a storm left many residents without power.
Jonathan M. Alexander, the Texans’ beat writer for the Houston Chronicle and PFWA Houston chapter co-vice president, praised Stroud for his professionalism and openness with both national and local media. “Stroud is the Good Guy Award winner because of his professionalism and openness with both the national and local media,” Alexander wrote.
On the field, Stroud was a force to be reckoned with. He was the only NFL quarterback in 2023 to score 20-plus touchdowns and maintain five or fewer interceptions. He also finished third among qualified passers in yards per attempt. One of his standout performances was a 16-of-21, three-touchdown game in a wild card round win over the Cleveland Browns.
Looking ahead, Stroud is set to shine even brighter in 2024 with Houston featuring in six prime-time or standalone games. The Texans continue OTAs in Houston with mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday, June 4. You can check out the Texans' entire 2024 schedule to catch more of Stroud's exciting journey.
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