Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud addressed his postgame interaction with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on Wednesday, explaining that his intentions were to offer support, not to “little bro” him as some on social media suggested.
After the Texans’ 19-13 win over the Bears on “Sunday Night Football,” Stroud was mic’d up and seen giving advice to Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback. Stroud told him, “Good job out there” and encouraged him to “stop taking those hits,” referring to the seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits Williams endured. Williams completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards and two interceptions.
As Williams began to walk away, Stroud pulled him back and added, “Come here. Learn from those mistakes. Everything that you got, bro, is in you already. You’re going to be a hell of a player in this league.”
Little Bro” Misunderstanding
On Wednesday, Stroud clarified that his intention was purely to help Williams, not to talk down to him.
“I wasn’t trying to little bro him or anything like that. He knows that,” Stroud said. “I respect him a lot. Some players come up to me last year with advice, and it meant the world to me. I just wanted to pass that on.”
“I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him,” Stroud said. “I had so many guys coming to me after games last year and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice.
“So, I just try to give back to what the game is giving me. So, I wish him the best man. I want him to do amazing in this league. I think he will.”
Social Media Reaction
Some social media users pointed out that Williams appeared dismissive during the exchange, focusing on his body language. However, Stroud didn’t interpret it that way, understanding that Williams was likely upset after the loss.
Williams, for his part, kept his comments brief during his postgame interview, simply saying, “We shook hands at the end of the game. That was about it.”
Stroud didn’t view Williams’ response negatively and “wants him to do extremely well.”
“I don’t think he was trying to be any type of way [toward me], he was just upset that they lost,” Stroud said. “I totally understand. So I have a ton of respect for that guy, man.”
This report used information from ESPN.
