Many people wonder how NFL stars get to where they are. Behind every great player like C.J. Stroud, there’s often a strong support system. And for C.J., that support comes strongly from his mom.
Kimberly Stroud is not just any mother; she’s been the rock behind C.J.’s journey to becoming a quarterback for the Houston Texans.
In this blog, we talk directly with CJ Stroud mom. We learn about her struggles and triumphs in raising an NFL star as a single parent. You’ll see how her guidance helped shape C.J.’s career on and off the field, including their work together for community support and justice reform.
Ready to hear it from Kimberly herself? Keep reading.
CJ Stroud Mom: Who Is Kimberly Stroud?
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud is a single mom who worked hard. She always supported her son, C.J., on his path to the NFL.
A single mother’s journey
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud faced hard times in 2012. She had to care for her four kids alone after a divorce. Her life took another tough turn when Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, the father, got a long prison sentence in 2015.
These events left her as the only parent for Isaiah, Asmar, Ciara, and C.J., the future Ohio State Buckeyes football star.
To keep her family going, Kimberly worked hard managing properties across different places. She even moved them into an apartment above a storage facility’s office to stay close to work.
This showed how much she sacrificed to give C.J. and his siblings a stable home despite facing eviction risks and financial struggles.
Her role as C.J.’s biggest supporter
C.J. promised his mom, Kimberly, that she wouldn’t have to struggle forever. This showed how close they were. She was always there for him, even when it meant C.J. had to wear shoes too small for him because they couldn’t afford new ones.
Her support didn’t stop with just being there physically. She also worked hard at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to make sure they got by.
Kimberly pushed C.J. to start a foundation in his name. She believed in making a lasting mark and helping others through their tough times, just as she did for her son. From wearing undersized cleats to founding the C.J Stroud Foundation, Kimberly was behind every step of C.J.’s journey toward becoming an NFL star with talents recognized alongside names like Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott.
Raising a Future NFL Star
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud had a big job, raising C.J. as a single mom. She worked hard, teaching him to be strong and kind, on and off the football field.
Challenges of single parenthood
Raising kids alone is tough. Kimberly had to take care of four kids by herself after C.J.’s dad went to jail. This meant she worked hard every day to feed them and keep a roof over their heads.
At times, they almost lost their home. She became both mom and dad, handling everything from bills to bedtime stories.
Kimberly also made sure her children stayed on the right path. With little money, it was easy for a young boy like C.J. to find trouble. But she kept him focused on school and football, showing how discipline beats difficulty any day.
Her life shows how single parents juggle many roles—provider, protector, teacher, and biggest fan—all at once.
Instilling discipline and values
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud knew the importance of hard work and faith. She taught C.J. to always do his best, no matter what. This meant doing well in school, being good at football, and helping others.
Kimberly made sure C.J. learned these lessons early on.
C.J.’s mom also showed him how to face tough times with strength. She shared stories of her own struggles as a single mother. These stories helped C.J. grow strong inside. He learned to not give up, even when things got hard.
This attitude was key for his success on the field and in life.
Kimberly’s Influence on C. J. ‘s Career
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud played a big role in her son’s success on the football field. She taught him to never give up, pushing him through hard times and shaping his drive to win.
Motivating C.J. through adversity
C.J. Stroud faced tough times growing up. His mom, a strong figure, showed him how to fight through hard days. She told him stories of her own struggles and wins. This made C.J. want to work harder in football and life.
He aimed to make things better for his mom.
During a game in November 2023, C.J. used his moment in the spotlight wisely. He talked about making changes in criminal justice reform. This showed he learned well from his mom’s teachings on resilience and using one’s voice for good causes.
Facing challenges head-on became C.J.’s way of moving forward, inspired by his mom’s support and guidance.
Teaching resilience and determination
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud showed C.J. how to face hard times head-on. She taught him not to give up, even when things got tough. This helped C.J. deal with losing a game or throwing an interception.
He learned every mistake was a chance to get better, not a reason to quit.
Together, they started the C.J. Stroud Foundation in November 2023. Their first big event gave food and supplies to single moms in Houston for Thanksgiving. This work shows C.J.’s strong will and kind heart, inspired by his mom’s lessons on never backing down and helping others no matter what.
Beyond Football: Kimberly and C. J. ‘s Charitable Work
Kimberly and C.J. Stroud go beyond the game, touching lives off the field. They team up for projects that help their community and speak out on important issues, showing everyone what teamwork can achieve outside sports.
Their joint foundation for community support
C.J. Stroud and his mom started the C.J. Stroud Foundation in November 2023 to help people in need. Their first big event was called “Quarterbacking Hunger.” At this event, they gave away Thanksgiving turkeys and important things like clothes and food to 100 single moms in Houston.
This shows how much they want to support families who are going through tough times.
Kimberly is the boss of the foundation, leading its efforts to make a difference outside football fields. Their work does not stop at feeding families during holidays; it also includes speaking out for changes in criminal justice policies.
Together, C.J. and Kimberly use their voices and resources to fight for what’s right, aiming for a better future for all communities.
Advocating for criminal justice reform
Kimberly and C.J. Stroud are not just about football. They care deeply for their community too. Kimberly’s son, an NFL star with a big heart, used his fame to talk about important issues.
In November 2023, he spoke out at a press conference. He wanted changes in the rules that keep people under watch by the law more than needed.
C.J. also teamed up with REFORM Alliance because he wants to make things better for people on probation or parole. On December 4, 2023, during a game against the Denver Broncos, he wore special shoes.
These shoes were not just for show. They helped bring attention to REFORM Alliance’s work on changing laws and making life fairer for everyone involved.
Kimberly’s New Ventures
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly Stroud is stepping into the spotlight herself, exploring new paths beyond just being C.J.’s mom. She’s launching a podcast with other football players‘ moms and sharing her insights on raising a star.
Starting a podcast with other NFL moms
In November 2023, Kimberly Stroud announced a new project. She will start “The Mom’s POV Show” with Monica Daniels. The show talks about being a parent to college and pro sports players.
They discuss hard topics like recruitment, NIL deals, and the effects of social media.
“The Mom’s POV Show” plans to hit many streaming services in 2024. It gives listeners tips on handling fame and the sports world’s pressures. This podcast is for anyone who wants to understand life behind the scenes of football families.
Her thoughts on C.J.’s rising stardom
CJ Stroud mom, Kimberly is proud of C.J. making a name for himself in the NFL. She saw him grow from playing at Ohio State to joining the big leagues. Seeing her son play so well makes her happy.
The Houston Texans even shared a video about players and their moms, showing how much they value family.
She met Monica Daniels at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, where both their sons were starting their journey. Kimberly feels thankful for her family’s support through everything. This has been a big help in C.J.’s rise to stardom.
Takeaways
C.J. Stroud’s journey to the NFL is not just his alone. His mom played a big part. She showed him how to face tough times with strength and keep pushing forward. Together, they give back to their community, too.
CJ Stroud mom story proves that behind a great player, there’s often a strong family bond guiding them every step of the way.