“Drop this gimmick!” – Texans QB CJ Stroud gets SLAMMED for sporting ‘Free Pops’ cleats amid playoff hype

CJ Stroud threw for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Colts.

“Drop this gimmick!” – Texans QB CJ Stroud gets SLAMMED for sporting ‘Free Pops’ cleats amid playoff hype

CJ Stroud (L - via Imago) and his free pops cleats (R - via X)

The Houston Texans won their week 18 game on Saturday and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season. The Texans, led by rookie QB CJ Stroud, surprised everyone this season as they won 10 games and made the postseason. Stroud is a huge reason for the Texans’ success this season and he has done that with family instability.

Stroud’s father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, has been incarcerated for carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and a misdemeanor s*xual battery. He pled guilty in 2015 and is serving a 38-year sentence at Folsom State Prison. The rookie QB, in an attempt to make a statement, wore cleats that said “Free Pops” for the Texans’ matchup with the Broncos in week 13.

Stroud has been vocal about the criminal justice reform and claimed that “what he’s going through is not right.”

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That's what I've been battling with, trying to still be a family man ... and still be a football player and do my job... I'm praying to God that something can happen, that he can get out and come to one of these games. I've been praying for him a lot.
CJ Stroud talking to the media in November

Fans slam CJ Stroud for wearing “Free Pops” cleats during the game

The Houston Texans made the playoffs this season, thanks to their rookie QB CJ Stroud. However, amidst all the playoff excitement, Stroud’s stand for criminal justice reform has garnered a lot of negative reactions from NFL fans.

CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud (via NFL.com)

Stroud wore “Free Pops” cleats during the Texans’ week 13 game against the Denver Broncos. His father pled guilty to multiple crimes back in 2015, and since then has been serving time in prison. Netizens slammed the Texans rookie for claiming that what his father is going through is not right. Here are some of the reactions.

Stroud and the Texans booked their place in the postseason after their week 18 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. They will hope to keep their Cinderella run going in the playoffs as well. Stroud so far this season has thrown for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He has been one of the best QBs in the league this season and will look to continue his form in the playoffs as well.

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