CJ Stroud has dismissed criticism of his post-game pep-talk to Caleb Williams and insisted he was just offering words of encouragement to the struggling quarterback.
Stroud and Williams met for the traditional handshake after the Houston Texans’ 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football with microphones catching their conversation.
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Stroud told number one overall pick Williams: “Good job out there,” before adding, “stop taking those hits.”
Williams started to walk off but Stroud pulled him back, and said: “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.”
The Bears offensive line has offered little protection to Williams with the former Heisman Trophy winner sacked nine times in his first two pro games – an NFL high for the season tied with Las Vegas Raiders’ QB Gardner Minshew.
Get you a hype man like CJ7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/WbmnKdeWav
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 18, 2024
I wasn’t trying to ‘little bro him’ – Stroud
Although Stroud appeared genuine in his encouragement to Williams, some detractors on social media have claimed he was trying to patronize the NFL new-boy.
Speaking Wednesday, Stroud said that was definitely not the case.
“I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him,” Stroud said. “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.”
Williams appeared dismissive of Stroud’s words at the time but the Houston man put that down to disappointment at the result.
Stroud added: “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.”
