NFL quarterback C.J. Stroud has responded to questions surrounding NBC Sports editing his faith-based remarks following a playoff game victory. The sports network removed Stroud's comment where he praised God after a win against the Cleveland Brown, and posted an edited version of the interview to their social media channels.
"First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," Stroud said in the interview. That sentence was later cut in subsequent posts to focus on remarks about fan support and the city of Houston, Texas.
Following his team's elimination from the playoffs, Stroud spoke to Fox News to address the controversy surrounding the edit.
"I just really wanted to show love and show people what I stand for. I pray for everybody. I don't really have any feeling towards it, I just pray for everyone," the quarterback said.
Stroud generally took the high road when answering questions, and declined to point any fingers or address the issue head on. The 22 year old instead opted to signal to a higher purpose that was bigger than football.
"I feel like of course football is amazing but one day this sport will be done, this is our passion and our purpose is bigger than just football," he continued. "It's cool to see people use their platform to show their purpose, and the lord. I think we have a really good community of a lot of believers in the league; really around the sports world."
"The more we can do with our platform the better we can make this world and hopefully ... help people if they want the help to find Christ and really understand that God loves you no matter what," Stroud added.
Stroud is in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL, and was recently named an All Star and will play in the Pro Bowl.
The young star also received awards for both the city of Houston's Athlete of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Houston Sports Awards.
He became the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards, and was also the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game. His playoff victory marked the first time a rookie had won in the post-season since 2009.
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Sunday Night Football on NBC edited out Christian quarterback C.J. Stroud's faith proclamation in a video interview posted to X after his Houston Texans' Wild Card playoff victory over the weekend.
Here's how the interview went on the live broadcast, as Kathryn Tappen asked Stroud, "What does this moment mean?"
“First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” the rookie signal caller replied.
He added: “I mean, it’s been amazing being in this city for as short [a time] as I’ve been, but the love that I’ve got — I’ve really just been doing it for Houston, man, people back home. I’m blessed to be in the position that I am and blessed enough to be playing at a high level right now. And we’ve got to just keep it going. But I’m super blessed.”
At the end of the interview, which lasted less than a minute, Stroud told Tappen, “Thank you, God bless.”
— (@)
Now let's roll the tape of the interview as it appeared on the X post from Sunday Night Football on NBC. The clip runs with Tappen's preamble and then her key question, "What does this moment mean?
But does it continue — like the live broadcast — with Stroud's faith proclamation?
Nope. The NBC clip contains a clear edit, with the camera angle jumping to a closeup and leaving his shout-out to Jesus Christ on the cutting-room floor:
— (@)
One might argue that the thrust of the clip posted to X has to do with Stroud's good vibes for Houston, as the post's caption reads that he "has a lot of love for his city." But not everyone is buying that, apparently.
Here are some of the comments underneath the Sunday Night Football on NBC's post:
In the Texans' 45-14 rout of the favored Cleveland Browns, Stroud tied or set records for completion percentage (76.2%), passer rating (157.2), touchdown passes (3), and margin of victory (31) by a rookie quarterback in a playoff game, CBS Sports said.
In November, Blaze News drew a stark comparison between words from Stroud and words from women's soccer icon Megan Rapinoe delivered on the same weekend. Rapinoe complained that her "f***ed-up" injury — which forced her early exit from her final game ever — is "proof" that God doesn't exist. But Stroud once again proclaimed his faith in God after the Texans' last-second 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
(H/T: Western Journal)
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In the National Football League’s Sunday night finale, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates used his platform to glorify God after nailing the game-winning field goal during the team’s matchup against the Houston Texans. “I think it just shows how good the Lord is. He’s so faithful,” Bates said in his post-game interview. The Lions’ new […]
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