CJ Stroud’s Playbook for Success: Football, Fun, and Focusing on Himself

CJ Stroud has always been about more than just football. Whether it’s keeping his mental game strong or making sure his family is taken care of, the Texans quarterback approaches every aspect of his life with the same focus that has made him a star on the field. 

One key factor in Stroud’s preparation is the quality of what he puts into his body. That’s why his partnership with C4 Energy has been more than just a sponsorship—it’s a tool for performance. “I've been with them for a long time now, since college,” Stroud shares. “It helps me with my performance on the field and also my energy when I'm in the weight room taking some of the pre-workouts. It's all NSF-certified, so I really don’t worry about it crossing lines with the guidelines or rules of the NFL.” For Stroud, knowing his supplements are backed by rigorous safety and quality testing makes all the difference in maintaining his peak condition.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make time for a little fun—whether it’s hooping in the offseason (while dodging longtime pal Bryce Young’s sneaky fouls or kicking back with some quality brain rot content. “[Aaron the Plumber] is a real one,” he says with a laugh. “I rock with Aaron the Plumber.”

Beyond the game, Stroud is always keeping an eye on the future—both his own and that of the next generation of athletes. He’s excited to see how this year’s draft class shakes out, particularly for players like Cam Ward, whom he’s watched rise through the ranks. “I met Cam probably three or four years ago at a camp and he was always cool, man,” Stroud recalls. “I think he's going to be a great player in this league.”

Whether it’s through words of encouragement or simply leading by example, Stroud is proof that success in the league goes beyond talent–It’s about mindset, too.

Our conversation, lightly edited and condensed for clarity, is below.

Let's start with C4. Can you tell me about the campaign and what it's been like partnering with C4 Energy?

Yeah, it's been great. I've been with them for a long time now, since college. It's not only just a great partnership, but helps me with my performance on the field and also my energy when I'm in the weight room taking some of the pre-workouts. It's all NSF-certified, so I really don’t worry about it crossing lines with the guidelines or rules of the NFL. I'm very grateful for the partnership, but the product is high quality, and it helps me get through my days–especially those hard days where I don't have much energy.

Perfect segue. Obviously, ingredient safety is hugely important for a professional athlete. Is that something that everyday athletes, or even everyday people, should also be on the lookout for?

Yeah. Some of those things that aren't certified or aren't approved by a doctor or a team–people who go over the health of these products, especially these energy drinks–those things can have long-term problems that you just won't notice right away. But if it's certified, then you have a little bit more comfortability just taking it and not worrying about long-term deficiencies.

That makes sense. You appear in the campaign alongside the anticipated number one pick from the draft, Cam Ward. Have you gotten a chance to chop it up?

I met Cam probably three or four years ago at a camp and he was always cool, man. He's been elevating his career: Started off at a smaller school, went to Washington State, and ended up going to Miami and doing very well. I'm very happy for him and I think he's going to be a great player in this league.

When we chatted with your longtime pal, Bryce Young at the Super Bowl, Bryce said that the most valuable thing you've given him wasn’t advice, it was words of encouragement. Have you been able to pass on any words of encouragement to Cam?

No, not yet. I really haven't been around him much. Me and Bryce’s relationship goes back to the eighth grade, so we have a little bit of more comfortability with one another, but if that's something that [Cam] needs or it's on my heart to tell him that, I definitely will. But I think he's done really good without me, so I think he's going to continue to do so.

There's quite a few prospects from Ohio State also that are hitting the draft this year. Have you connected with any of the prospects or are you kind of letting them have their moment?

Yeah, I mean, I'm available if people need me. If they hit me up and ask questions or need advice, I'm there. But during this time they have a bunch of meetings and things going on. I remember doing all that stuff and I don't ever want to be a distraction–but I also talk to my team, and I want as many Ohio State guys I can get. *laughs* So that definitely is a part of that journey for me. But yeah, I'm always there. I'm a call away for those guys. They're all my brothers for life.

Do you have any predictions for who will be the first pick of the draft?

I don't know. It's interesting. I think Cam definitely has a good shot. I think my guy from Penn State–I played against him–Abdul Carter, he's a good player. He might have a shot. I mean, it doesn't matter where you go, but know it's what you do when you get there, and the way the coaches and the organization are going to use you. 

That's something that I learned: It doesn't really matter where you go, it's just how you're going to be used and if that's the first or fifth or whatever round you go, it's all about what you do when you get there.

You just signed to Jordan before this season. How does it feel to get to rep the Jumpman on the field?

Yeah, it's dope. It's something that I dreamed about as a kid. Jordan is very influential in our community and our culture, so it's dope just to be able to rock the brand and try to represent as best as I can. It's been amazing. They're probably the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and they always supply us with a lot of [gear], so I'm very grateful to be able to work with them and create a partnership with them.

Who do you think has the top five cleat rotations in the league?

I would say Jalen Hertz, Devonte Adams, Bobby Wagner. I think I had some hard cleats–I really think I'm going to do a lot better this year, but the Travis Scott cleats that I had, I think those were probably the hardest of the year. And then I'll say Dak Prescott. 

The Travis cleats were sick.

Yeah, Travis, he did a good job, so I'm grateful for him too.

I have some rapid fire questions for you if you're game for 'em. Who do you think the funniest person on the Texans is?

Damien Pierce.

Favorite quarterback, past or present?

Michael Vick.

Favorite way to spend a day in the off season?

That's a good question: Basketball.

Basketball? And you're going to let Bryce sneaky foul you?

That dude be fouling all day! He's good though. He's a good player.

Is he that good if he has to foul you all the time?

But it's sneaky, so no one really sees it. He's good on offense too, so I can't guard him. He probably guards me better. I'm not a very good defender, but I can score well.

Alright, fair enough. I mean, that's why you're on the offense, right? NFL chains or rapper chains?

I don’t know; I think it's a waste of money. I regret buying a chain, but hey, to each his own. I like chains, I just think sometimes they get little expensive, could spend it on something else. But I'm still learning that myself, I bought a chain before, so I can't talk.

That brings me to–What is the dumbest thing you've spent money on?

I don’t know, that's a good question. I would have to go back to college or something, I don’t know, because I don't really spend my money crazy now.

So it's not the chain.

Yeah, it's probably the chain.

What's the best thing you've spent money on?

Taking care of my family: my mom, my sister, and my brothers–taking care of them.

What's the last song you listened to?

I got it right here: “If U Were Mine” by Nipsey Hussle.

What's the best brain rot content?

Aaron the Plumber.

What?

You don’t know who Aaron the Plumber is?

I do not know who Aaron the Plumber is.

He's hilarious. He's a dude out of Stockton, he's a real one. He's standing on business. He does Pop the Balloon and that reality TV show.

OH! I know who that is!

Yeah, he a real one for sure, I rock with Aaron the Plumber. I like that and–it's a show called Roast Me, and it's the dude named Boo Kapone. He's hilarious.

It's called Roast Me?

Yeah, they just roast each other. It's funny, and when I need to pass time because I don't need to pay attention to anything, I just put it on.

Would you go on and let yourself get roasted?

I would, because I’d roast back, but them dudes are professionals.

We'll have to train you up, get you a team of writers. What's one thing people don't know about you?

That's a good question. There's a lot of things I don't want people to talk about. I like green beans. I like reading. 

Oh, nice–you like reading?

I do like reading, yes. It's a new hobby of mine.

What are we reading? Are we reading self-help books like AJ Brown? Are we reading fiction?

I read a lot of the Bible and then I read a lot of, yeah, self encouragement books. Books on knowledge and wisdom, and just elevating myself as a young man. A lot of decision-making books, especially with money. I like doing those things that grow my mind.

I love that, you’ve got to make sure your mental game is really strong. Actually, on that note, one of the things we've been chatting with a lot of athletes about is mental health. We talked about your physical health earlier around the C4 partnership, but–with the pressures of competition and life off the field, how do you prioritize your mental wellbeing?

Sometimes it's hard to prioritize it because you’re moving around so much, and you kind of, I don't know–I don't want to give a bad analogy, but sometimes you're like a zoo animal. People just treat you for what you do and not who you are. So it's something that you have to learn, to really stop caring about things other than yourself first. Because the second greatest commandment in the Bible is “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” It's hard to love your neighbor if you can't love yourself. 

So that's what I'm learning lately: just give myself some grace a little more and operating without caring for people's opinions about me.