Texans QB Stroud Criticizes NBC for Cutting Jesus Praise

NBC has come under fire for omitting Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s praise of Jesus Christ during a postgame interview.

Following the Texans’ victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Stroud told NBC’s Kathryn Tappen: “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” before talking about the city of Houston and fans’ support of him.

The version posted by NBC, however, began after the religious remark, chopping the mention of Jesus.

Both versions were posted by MLFootball on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“It seems like being religious and praying to a god is no longer allowed,” MLFootball remarked.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., vented his outrage on X, calling the cut “despicable and un-American.”

“Leave it to @NBCNews to edit out C.J. Stroud’s mention of Jesus Christ,” he wrote on X.

“The left’s attack on Christianity & its followers is despicable & un-American. People like @TonyDungy & C.J. are men of profound faith & appreciation of God that should be celebrated, not censored.”

Dungy is a former football player and coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.

Citizen Free Press also railed at the cut by NBC.

“It’s disconcerting to realize NBC is actively censoring a player praising Jesus after a massive win,” the outlet posted. “Would NBC have censored his speech if he praised transgenders or Palestinians?”

Stroud has been open about his faith in the past, Fox Sports has reported.

For example, in November, amid MVP conversations, Stroud turned his attention to God.

“For me, it’s a lot of prayer,” Stroud explained, Fox Sports reported. “A lot of knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I can’t handle. I don’t deserve His grace and His mercy, but He still gives it to me and I love Him for that. It’s not about me, it’s about Him and His glory. So I think that’s where it comes from. I think God made me like that.”

And in February 2023, he remarked about his faith: “It’s what’s kept me grounded even through my season,” Fox reported at the time. “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.”