‘Amazing human being,’ C.J. Stroud, foundation give back to Houston area families with gift cards and more at H-E-B

HOUSTON – Since his arrival in Houston as the second overall pick of the draft, Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud and his family have wanted to share more than his ability to throw a football.

He’s wanted to affect people’s lives through his philanthropic works off the field.

The C.J. Stroud Foundation was launched to help families in need last year and has benefited those affected by Hurricane Beryl, holding youth football camps and giving back to families in need.

On Tuesday, the charitable foundation held an event at a local H-E-B giving out $150 gift cards, a free turkey voucher, a Texans sweater and T-shirt to 25 registered families in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“It’s amazing for the C..J Stroud Foundation,” said Kimberly Stroud, C.J.’s mom. " Number one, we love Houston and we just want to make the holiday a little bit better. That’s our way of saying thank you for being so loyal, not only for C.J., but also to our foundation, it’s been really great.”

Growing up in California, Stroud and his family experienced some hard times as his mother raised him and his siblings as single parent. Through hardships, they always stayed a close-knit family who supported each others’ dreams.

“When C.J. was very young, he always wanted to give back,” Kimberly Stroud said. “He’s just such an amazing human being. He really cared. The C.J. Stroud Foundation was founded because he wanted people to know that he cares and he is not just there to be play football, but he is also here to make impact and this is our little way of doing that.

“The impact of the C.J. Stroud Foundation is just showing the human side of him. It’s not just the glitz and glamour of the football field. We forget these guys are human beings. These guys have hearts and these guys care, and I think that’s the biggest impact that we’ve made so far.”

Kimberly Stroud emphasized the emotional tug on her heart as she recalled times as a single mother when a free turkey or a $100 gift card could allow her to stretch those things to make ends meet.

“Just seeing how grateful they are, it means so much,” she said.

The Texans are 6-4 and in first place in the AFC South division. Stroud was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and set several NFL and franchise records.

The Texans are on a two-game losing streak and have lost three of their past four games. Stroud has been sacked 34 times and his numbers are down while playing under heavy duress and without top wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs due to injuries.

Criticism of the team and Stroud has been on the rise, especially on social media and on sports talk radio after an offseason where expectations skyrocketed and the team was called a prime Super Bowl contender.

Although things have been rough lately, the family maintains a positive attitude and a healthy perspective.

“This is a long journey,” Kimberly Stroud said. “It started a very long time ago with my son. One thing I always pride myself on is that I’m a mama bear and these are my little cubs no matter how old they are. They’re always my babies.

“It really is hard sometimes to hear the negativity because I know my son’s heart. He just loves Houston. He loves the Texans. He just wants to do the best for them. I love that we’re having this event because not only does it uplift the community, it uplifts C.J. and it uplifts the Texans, turning a positive out of it.”

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.