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C.J. Stroud isn’t the only star in his family.
The former Buckeyes quarterback — who the Texans selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday — was nearly upstaged by his mother, Kim and sister Cieara.
After NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the pick, Stroud embraced his family — with his mother saying Houston “made the best decision ever.”
The internet is now buzzing about Stroud’s family, who joined him on the red carpet at the iconic Union Station in Kansas City.
“CJ STROUD MOM AND SISTER THOUGH #NFLDraft,” one person wrote on Twitter — while another added: “CJ Stroud is so adorable! His mom is stunning.”
During a red carpet interview, Stroud explained how his mother sacrificed for him to chase his dreams and gushed over his sister’s support.
“My mom, she had to play both roles for a while, both mother and father,” Stroud, who wore a suit with paint splatters on it, told NFL Network’s Melissa Stark.
Stroud’s father became incarcerated when he was 13, according to Sports Illustrated.
He is the youngest of his parents’ four kids — including siblings Isiah, Asmar and Cieara — whom Kim has cared for by herself for years.
Just caught up with CJ Stroud on the carpet, alongside his mother and sister.
He told me he woke up this morning and said a long prayer to God, asking that he’s drafted wherever He wants him to be.
On the look, he’s a fan of colors — hence the paint splashes. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/QnSQIDnd9a
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) April 27, 2023“And my sister has been nothing but supportive through everything, through thick and thin,” Stroud continued on the red carpet.
“So I’m super blessed to have a mother like I do. She’s beautiful. That’s where I get my looks from.
“My sister is also beautiful, very tall and gorgeous, so I’m blessed enough to have great women in my life.”
Stroud’s mother added that she was going to be a “bundle of nerves” on draft night.
“A lot of tears, but just so grateful to be here,” she said. “He’s worked so hard, so his determination has definitely paid off.”
Stroud’s sister also gushed over her brother and reflected on their upbringing.
“He’s just an amazing person through and through,” she said. “I’m just so proud of him.
“Seeing him grow up to the man he is, it’s amazing. I love him.”
Stroud said he gave both his mother and sister flowers prior to walking the red carpet.
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