When C.J. Stroud finds the end zone through the air, he has a unique way to celebrate.
Rather than jumping up and down for joy, Stroud hits the cross-armed pose and stares at his own sidelines before joining his teammates. According to ESPN’s Pat McAfee, the pose is “one of the coldest reactions” he’s seen in a hot moment.
It was on display when Stroud connected with Nico Collins for a 67-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of the Houston Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills and remains a fixture of his persona.
What’s the reasoning behind it? During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Stound said it’s supposed to serve as a reminder for those watching what he’s capable of accomplishing with a football in his hands.
https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1843690912456864078/video/1
“It’s regular,” Stroud told McAfee of the now iconic pose. “You mess up, you give me the shot, I’m going to take it. I’m just going to make you pay. I often just have to remind myself, too, like I’m still that guy and I can still play this game at a very, very high level. So, I think that was just one of those moments where I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s like that.’ I’m not always that way.”
Not only was the pass a beauty that secured Houston’s fourth win of the regular season, but the pass traveled 59.1 yards through the air, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
That marks the fifth-longest completion in the league this season.
Stroud has the confidence to deliver quick strikes, deep shots and jaw-dropping passes left and right for four quarters.
He’s already connected multiple times on the deep ball with Collins this season, including once on a 56-yard ball during Week 1’s win over McAfee’s Indianapolis Colts.
“I’m very humble at the same time, but I know what I can do on the field. I know there’s no defense for the perfect throw. You’ve just got to be able to focus in those moments,” Stroud said of that throw before turning his attention to McAfee.
Stroud said he saw McAfee and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 1 and knew he couldn’t let them walk away with a win late in the fourth quarter.
Naturally, he iced the game with a third-and-11 completion to Collins before Joe Mixon picked up once more first down, thus leading to a McAfee meltdown the next day.
“I saw you and Tyrese over there going crazy, so I had to hush y’all boys,” Stroud joked. “I tried to look at y’all after. I think y’all left. Y’all beat the traffic. I was trying to find you.”
"We're finding ways to win and that's what matters..
I didn't plan on that reaction but I had to remind everybody that I'm still that guy" 😂😂@CJ7STROUD #PMSLive #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/jlmeAUHFjQ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 8, 2024
Through five games, Stroud ranks third among passers with 1,385 passing yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions. His 98.2 passer rating ranks 10th nationally.
Stroud will look to strike the pose once more when Houston travels to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots this Sunday at noon CT.
