The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) named C.J. Stroud its 2024 Good Guy Award winner.
Establised in 2005, the honor recognizes a player’s professionalism working with football reporters. Stroud became the first Houston Texans player to receive the award when beating out finalists Joel Bitonio, Dion Dawkins, Brandon Graham, and Dak Prescott.
“He is always available during the week and after games, win or lose. He understands the media has a job to do and answers each question thoroughly,” PFWA Houston chapter co-vice president Jonathan Alexander, who covers the Texans for the Houston Chronicle, said of Stroud in a team statement. “He is also active in the Houston community without seeking attention, recently volunteering to remove trees and clean up debris from yards in underserved communities after a storm left many residents without power for several days.”
Stroud certainly made his mark on the gridiron as well. The No. 2 pick won Offensive Rookie of the Year after lifting the Texans from a three-win season to an AFC South title.
The former Ohio State star posted a 100.8 quarterback rating with 23 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He then won his playoff debut when registering 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The Good Guy Award has traditionally gone to veterans. Eli Manning and Philip Rivers each won at the end of their careers in 2020 and 2021, respectively, before Cameron Heyward and Jason Kelce earned the last two distinctions.
Yet the 22-year-old Stroud bucked that trend by getting celebrated ahead of his second season.
“It’s a blessing to be recognized as the PFWA Good Guy Award winner, and it stands out to me because it’s more of an award that embodies someone’s character rather than the stats they compile on the field,” Stroud said. “I appreciate the job the media has and thank them for choosing me as someone who is deserving of this honor.”