Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to reap accolades, adding the titles of Houston’s Newcomer of the Year and Athlete of the Year to his growing list of achievements. The awards were conferred during the Houston Sports Awards ceremony held at the 713 Music Hall, where Stroud’s outstanding contributions under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans were celebrated.
In a notable turnaround season, Stroud played a pivotal role, contributing to a seven-win improvement for the Texans. His stellar performance earned him recognition on both national and local fronts. On the same day, Stroud secured a spot in the AFC Pro Bowl, sharing the honor with teammates Laremy Tunsil and Will Anderson Jr.
Despite being unable to attend the awards ceremony due to prior commitments, Stroud’s impact on the field was undeniable. The young quarterback made history as the fifth rookie in league history to surpass 4,000 passing yards in his inaugural season. Notably, he became the youngest quarterback to secure a playoff victory and the first rookie since 2009 to achieve such a feat. Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist from Ohio State, showcased his skills by throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns with an impressive ratio of five interceptions.
His statistical prowess was evident as he led the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdowns to interception ratio, joining the elite company of Tom Brady and Joe Montana. The highlight of Stroud’s rookie season came in a memorable 45-14 wild-card round win over the Cleveland Browns, where he joined an exclusive group of rookies to throw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a playoff game.
Reflecting on his exceptional rookie year, Stroud expressed gratitude, acknowledging the blessing of being mentioned alongside football greats and competing against them. While the Texans faced a 34-10 loss to Baltimore in the divisional round, Stroud remained thankful for the remarkable journey.
He’s special, A special young man, special player. He continues to shine no matter how big and tough the moment is,” Ryans said. “Our team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight, and he shows up day after day, and week after week, continues to improve.
I’m indeed proud of him.
The Houston Sports Awards also recognized the Texans’ Moment of the Year, applauding general manager Nick Caserio’s strategic move that led to the selection of defensive talent Will Anderson. Initially questioned by national pundits, the decision to trade up nine spots with the Arizona Cardinals proved fruitful. Anderson, a standout from Alabama, silenced critics by breaking the franchise’s rookie sack record with seven takedowns and leading all rookie defenders with 67 quarterback pressures.
Behind the stellar performances of Stroud and Anderson, the Texans clinched their first AFC South division title and postseason berth in four years. Concluding the regular season with a commendable 10-7 record, including a 4-2 division play performance, the Texans showcased resilience and promising prospects for the future.
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