CJ Stroud's father Coleridge revisits story of how he met Texans QB's mother
CJ Stroud's father Coleridge says it was love at first sight with his wife and Stroud's mother Kimberly. Coleridge and Kimberly gave birth to CJ on October 3, 2001, in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
"She lived near my sister, and that's how we met, they lived in the same complex. And what brought us together, we both had a love for God," Coleridge said on Between the Lines podcast at 10:08.
"I think we was attracted to each other, no doubt about it. But then we had some synergy, because we both loved God. God was in the center of our life. And then we started to raise a family."
Coleridge and Kimberly Stroud tied the knot in 1997 but ended up getting a divorce in 2012. They share four kids: Isaiah, Asmar, Ciara and CJ.
CJ Stroud discusses his dad being incarcerated
Coleridge Stroud is serving a 38-year sentence after pleading guilty to the counts of carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and misdemeanor sexual battery. He won't be eligible for parole until 2040 when he's 74 years old.
In 2022, CJ Stroud spoke about his dad being incarcerated as he says people slip up.
“People slip up … People make mistakes. As I’m getting older, I’m realizing how tough it is to be a man – not only a man, but a Black man in our communities,” Stroud told The Columbus Dispatch in 2022.
“I think I thrive now at this age, just understanding that doing the right thing is the right way and letting God lead your life is the best way. That’s what I learned from my father."
Kimberly Stroud raised CJ as a single mom. But, she credited the football coaches growing up for being a father figure to CJ.
“We had a lot of support from a lot of different coaches on travel-ball teams. It took a village. Because he was so talented, there were so many people that kind of rallied around him and kept him involved,” Kimberly said.
“There were times where I couldn’t pay for certain equipment that he needed, but they would give C.J. the equipment anyway. But it was a hard time for CJ from seventh grade into high school.”
Stroud was selected second overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL draft.