NBC Sports reposted its post-game interview with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on social media following the team’s playoff victory against the Browns on Saturday.
But NBC suspiciously edited the video, omitting what Stroud would consider the most principled line in his response:
His mention of Jesus Christ.
Here is the version NBC posted:
Here’s the line NBC removed, Stroud’s very first line: “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Understand that Stroud references his faith during every interview on the field. It means everything to him.
Stroud explained to Fox News Digital before the NFL Draft last year why he keeps his faith first.
“It’s what’s kept me grounded even through my season,” he said in February 2023. “Football has a lot of ups and downs, it has a lot of twists and turns, but at the end of the day, it’s all about your foundation. And something that’s set my foundation is my faith.
“It’s something I’m not perfect in, but I try to work every day to be better, and I definitely think that’s what saved me. If it helps encouraging anybody to help them in their lives, whatever they’re going through, then I’m all for it.”
So you see, NBC willfully diminished the message Stroud chose to use his platform to promote.
Why would the network do that? Why would someone intentionally edit out Stroud honoring his faith?
The answer is obvious. Faith is not one of the pre-approved talking points that athletes are allowed to uphold.
See, sports networks like NBC and ESPN encourage athletes to speak on off-field topics like race and politics (as long as they take the right stance). However, they draw the line on religion.
Stroud is not alone:
There’s virtually no way NBC would have edited Stroud’s post-game interview had he used the moment after the game to shout out Black Lives Matter or trans rights.
But Stroud isn’t a political or Marxian advocate. Rather, he’s an advocate of Christianity.
C.J. Stroud has spent nearly every moment of his young public life reminding his followers that he identifies as a Christian — not a black QB; a Christian.
That said, there is one silver lining in a network trying to silence Stroud’s faith: it won’t stop him from spreading it.
Stroud is not the type of athlete to succumb to societal pressure. Nor is he the type of athlete who will self-censor and play a character to appease sponsors, like Nike.
He’s not LeBron James or Travis Kelce.
All evidence suggests — I.E every time he speaks – Stroud will continue to wear his religion all over his sleeve.
And his message will only grow louder.
C.J. Stroud is not going away. He’s 22 years old and already one of the five best QBs in the league.
He is on pace to be a face of the NFL. When he reaches that status, he will undoubtedly credit his Lord and Savior.
NBC can try to bury Stroud’s faith. But the network will not prevail.
