Why Does C.J. Stroud Wear No. 7?

While playing in the NFL affords every athlete a certain level of fame and fortune, quarterbacks are largely in a league of their own. Given that the ball is (literally) in their hands on almost every offensive play, the men under center find themselves squarely in the spotlight. And during his first season at the professional level, C.J. Stroud hasn’t suffered from stage fright.

The Houston Texans starter has performed well (3,844 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and five interceptions through his first 14 NFL appearances) and kept himself in the Rookie of the Year race down the stretch. Now, with a must-win Week 18 game on the horizon, Stroud also has a chance to guide the Texans into the promised land of the playoffs.

Whether he clears that final hurdle or not, Stroud has done enough to prove that he’s worthy of a place within the NFL landscape. And as the QB and his No. 7 jersey become a more and more familiar sight, you might find yourself wondering why he has that specific number on his back.

Let’s just say there’s something bigger than good luck at play.

Why Does Stroud Wear No. 7? Michael Vick Played a Role

Growing up, just about every athlete had someone they looked up to. In Stroud’s case, one of those role models partially explains his choice of jersey number.

“Growing up for me, even one of the reasons I wore No. 7 was because of Michael Vick,” the Ohio State Buckeye explained at the 2023 NFL Combine. “So, he inspired me not only just to be athletic and use my athleticism, but as a Black quarterback to stay in the pocket and throw the ball and that’s something he was very underrated in.”

For what it’s worth, he also compared himself to Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow. Both of those men are a bit more contemporary than Vick, though, which could explain why No. 7 stuck.

Childhood inspirations do tend to carry quite an emotional weight.

No. 7 Is Also Connected to Dwayne Haskins

During his time in high school, Stroud sported No. 7 on his back. He then shifted to 14 at Ohio State—7 was already taken—before re-assuming his old number for the 2021 campaign.

The following year, though, the jersey became that much more significant. In April 2022, Dwayne Haskins, who also wore No. 7 with the Buckeyes, died at age 24.

Haskins left Columbus before Stroud arrived on campus, but the more senior man still made an impact on his fellow signal-caller.

“He’s just an inspiration. He always has been,” Stroud, who took the field during Ohio State’s 2022 spring game wearing a Haskins jersey, explained. “I even watched him when he was in high school. I used to watch the ‘Elite 11’ documentaries all the time, and he was one of those dudes on there. So I watched him in that, looked up his highlights after and just went from there and started studying and watching over his career.

“He’s just a big-time player, a big-time dude. Not only on the field, but off, as well. He inspired me … He changed the culture at quarterback here, throwing 50 passing touchdowns [in a season]. Definitely, that’s what intrigued me to come here, for sure, and then Justin [Fields] stamping that the next year, so Dwayne’s legacy will live on.”

The QB also said Haskins was like a “big brother” and that he felt it was appropriate to honor him.

Stroud also spoke more directly about the significance of No. 7.

“It’s really meant everything to me,” the quarterback explained when asked about carrying the number’s legacy forward during a December 2022 ESPN interview. “I know Dwayne was a great person, not only just a great football player but did great things in his community and to people that he loved. So it felt good to be able to wear his jersey in the spring game and try to live his legacy on, and I tried to honor him this year as much as I could man, cause that’s something that I take serious, is trying to hold up the people who maybe passed away these past couple of years. So, I really appreciate everything he’s done for Ohio State and done for me. He’s paved the way, really, for a lot of quarterbacks to come in here and be able to sling it around.”

And when Stroud reached the NFL, he was able to keep his preferred number, even though it was already taken. That’s not always a luxury afforded to rookies, but Ka’imi Fairbairn made way for his new teammate.

Between Vick and Haskins, the Texans QB has some big-time touchstones attached to No. 7. And at the risk of trying to fill in the gaps and speak for both of those men, Stroud is doing the number proud.