CJ Stroud explains post-game Caleb Williams chat after 'little bro' claim
CJ Stroud has broken his silence on the viral interaction with Caleb Williams after the Houston Texans quarterback hit back at claims he was trying to 'little bro' the rookie
by Cameron Winstanley · The MirrorCJ Stroud has hit back at suggestions that he tried to belittle Caleb Williams during their NFL post-game encounter.
Footage of the Houston Texans quarterback consoling and advising his Chicago Bears counterpart following the Texans' 19-13 victory took the internet by storm. In a game where Stroud was mic'd up, he was heard saying to Williams: "Good job out there" and to "stop taking those hits."
After finishing the game with two interceptions and enduring a tough night being sacked seven times, Williams turned to walk away before Stroud added: "Come here. Learn from those mistakes. And everything that you got, bro, is in you already, bro. You're going to be a hell of a player in this league."
Facing the media on Wednesday amid the social media reaction, Stroud flatly denied any intention of coming across as patronising towards the rookie, affirming: "I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him.
"I had so many guys coming to me after games last year and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice. So, I just try to give back to what the game is giving me. So, I wish him the best man. I want him to do amazing in this league. I think he will."
Stroud opened up about the invaluable support he received from a "brotherhood" of fellow black quarterbacks, during his time in collegiate football. He detailed his experiences on Kevin Hart's 'Cold As Balls' video series, saying: "Michael Vick has been one of the main ones and somebody [who] was my favorite quarterback, one of the reasons I wear No. 7.
"Cam Newton has reached out, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes. Justin Fields, who I played with at Ohio State, has helped me out a ton. Even like the OGs, Warren Moon and Randall Cunningham, who I've gotten to meet." He expressed his gratitude by noting it's "an honor, it's a blessing to learn from people who you were inspired by."
Regarding his interaction with Williams, Stroud shared that he took no offense to the Bears' QB's reaction and declared his support of his peer, commenting: "I don't think he was trying to be any type of way [toward me], he was just upset that they lost. I totally understand. So I have a ton of respect for that guy, man."
Williams remained tight-lipped about their post-game encounter, mentioning in the press conference only that "we shook hands at the end of the game. That was about it."