NFL QB CJ Shroud Said Jesus Is His Lord And Savior: NBC Alleged To Have Cancelled His Speech

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13, 2024: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

HOUSTON (CC) - Earlier this week keen Christians in the sports world noticed that Sunday Night Football on NBC's X account apparently edited out the NFL's rookie sensation CJ Shroud's profession of faith in Jesus.

During an interview with NBC's Kathryn Tappen, after leading the Houston Texans to a home playoff win over the Cleveland Browns last Saturday, the first sentence out of Shroud's mouth was a jubilant, "First and foremost, I just want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

But the video clip posted on NBC's X account started with Stroud giving a heartfelt mention to the city of Houston.

"I mean, it’s been amazing being in this city for as short as I’ve been but the love that I’ve got," he said. "I’ve really just been doing it for Houston, man. People back home, I’m blessed enough to be in this position I am. Blessed enough to be playing at a high level right now. And we gotta just keep it going but I’m super blessed."

It has been a season of sports and community blessings for him, Houston and the Texans, who made the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Stroud, 22, was born and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He played NCAA College Football for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 2020-2022. He then became the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 that same year. He is the reigning, highest drafted quarterback in his university's vaunted history.

He starred in Houston's 45-14 victory over Cleveland by passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. In doing so, he also became the youngest NFL quarterback to win a playoff game, breaking former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's record.

Stroud established the new record at 22 years and 102 days old. Vick was 22 years, 192 days old in 2002 when his Falcons beat the Packers.

“I’m super blessed to be considered with a great name like Michael Vick, who was my favorite quarterback growing up,” Stroud said. “And hopefully I can make it two (wins).”

The Texans traveled to the east coast for a playoff game against the hometown, top-seeded Baltimore Ravens today, slated for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

In today's modern era, NFL quarterbacks are tracked by their team's wins and losses as a statistical category for the games they started.

Houston's head coach, also starting in his first year, DeMeco Ryans, 39, had this to say, “C.J. is the reason why we’re in this position. He’s special, a special young man. Special player. Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is. Our whole team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight."

Stroud starred throughout this season. And the combination of Ryans and the budding superstar quarterback vaulted the Texans from the back of the NFL pack, and laughingstock status, to AFC South division champions.

With his statement of confidence in Stroud, Ryans indirectly revealed one of the reasons why the rookie quarterback acknowledged Jesus Christ in front of an international audience.

Other Christian athletes have done the same thing Shroud did by acknowledging Christ first and foremost.

Because his profession of faith was evidently edited out, NBC gave Jesus and Stroud even more attention.

“It’s been a heck of a year and I thank God, I can just go another week with my teammates,” Stroud said. “This is like a dream come true.”

Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, Houston's quarterback in their last playoff game back in 2019, saw Stroud's performance from the sidelines.

Watson, beset by personal and legal issues, left the Texans and eventually signed with the Browns. He had season-ending shoulder surgery after playing in only six games this season.

He witnessed his replacement as Houston's franchise player surgically carve up Cleveland's defense.

However, the story of how NBC allegedly carved up Stroud's witnessing for Jesus became a bigger story than the game.