C.J. Stroud could barely walk in Toyota Center Wednesday night without fans stopping him.
They all wanted a picture, an autograph, or just to say “Hi” and how much they loved him.
Stroud, the Texans’ rookie quarterback, was selected with the second overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, and he happily said yes.
He has been a fan favorite since arriving in Houston in April.
In many ways, Stroud represents the hope for Texans fans who haven’t had much to celebrate over the past three years.
But his star status soared last Sunday, when he threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns and led the team to the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of a thrilling 39-37 victory over the Buccaneers at NRG Stadium. .
It’s not just NFL stars who have taken notice.
Even Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James gave his approval, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “CJ STROUD. That’s it,” with a shouting emoji.
James, 38, was in Houston for the Lakers’ game against the Rockets on Wednesday and spoke to reporters during the team’s shootaround.
“He’s impressive,” James said of Stroud. “As far as what he’s doing right now, he’s definitely the Offensive Rookie of the Year. “Very impressive, very poised, a franchise quarterback. “
Stroud threw out the ceremonial “first pitch” at the Rockets game, a recent Houston tradition like the first pitch in baseball. Joining him is rookie receiver Tank Dale.
Stroud is also an avid Lakers fan who grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, just an hour’s drive east of Los Angeles.
But he joked that he was told not to wear a Lakers jersey.
On the layup, James spotted Stroud and ran toward him before Stroud shot. They rubbed each other’s hands and chatted briefly. James is a football fan at Ohio State University, where Stroud played football.
But Stroud and James had never met before that meeting.
“LeBron is someone I’ve always looked up to,” Stroud said Wednesday of the future Hall of Famer. “He’s been doing this since I was a kid. I don’t want him to feel old…For me, I respect him not only on the court but off the court as well.
“He’s a businessman, he’s a leader, he takes a stand publicly. Not just black athletes that I can respect, but athletes in general. “There’s nothing to do but respect him. “
Stroud, who won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Week award, used to get himself a layup. He played in high school and still plays some games in his free time and practices during the offseason. He often joked with teammates George Fant and Jalen Peet about who was the best pitcher on the Texans roster.
Basketball was his first love growing up. His father once asked him to wear the No. 1 pick jersey, thinking he would grow up to be a basketball star.
As it turned out, his future was in football.
More and more fans across the city are wearing Stroud’s jerseys. After a 4-4 start, the Texans’ energy clearly increased. He is the front-runner for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Rockets small forward Jae’Sean Tate, who played college basketball at Ohio State, was seen wearing a Texans jersey before entering the arena.
“Basketball players want to be football players, football players want to be basketball players, we all want to play baseball,” Stroud said. “We all respect each other, so it’s cool to get some love from basketball players and NBA players. It’s a blessing.”
Lakers forward LeBron James (left) visits with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud before Wednesday’s game. This was their first face-to-face meeting.
Jason Folkman/PhotographerLike James 20 years ago, Stroud is learning to deal with the increased attention that comes with being the face of the franchise and its star player. He now rarely goes anywhere without being stopped.
“We’re going up, so it’s nice to see the city behind us,” Stroud said.
Now that he’s become a central figure in the Houston community, he said he wants to make an even bigger impact. James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio, regularly attended Ohio State football games and said he already does that.
“I think he’s settled into his own style, and I think you’re just seeing that now,” James said after the Rockets’ win. “We’ve seen this in Northeast Ohio for a long time. What he brings to the football field, but more importantly what he brings to the community.
“We’ve seen it and you’re finally seeing what a special kid he is. “The sky is the limit for him. “