Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud recently had an incredible Sunday as he led his team to a win in the final seconds against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the win and setting the rookie record for most passing yards in a single game wasn’t the only thing on his mind during his post-game conference.

Stroud took the chance to discuss his father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, who remains incarcerated after receiving 38 years to life sentence after pleading guilty in 2016 to kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery charges in a drug-related incident. Stroud said, “What I’ve been battling with is trying to still be a family man, still help out, and still be a football player and do my job. It’s been tough.” The rookie QB, who’s been open about his faith in the past, has relied on a solid support system with his family and friends, even though his father may not see him play.

He said he was praying his father could catch a break and get to NRG Stadium one day to see him play. Coleridge Stroud III has been in prison since the quarterback was in middle school and is currently serving time at Folsom State Prison near Sacramento. Initially, Stroud said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to speak out publicly but was moved to support his father and others in prison. He said, “Our criminal justice system isn’t right, and it’s something that I need to probably be a little more vocal about because what he’s going through isn’t right.”

Stroud continued, “He called me this week, and we got to talk, and I’m praying for the situation and reform, and the people with reform are helping me a little bit. But, I think just letting it be known that it’s not just my dad’s situation, but the whole criminal justice system is corrupt.” The quarterback said he was also upset by videos he’s seen of squalid conditions at prisons in Mississippi.

He said, “Some of the prisons there have rats, roaches and things like that. Don’t get me wrong — criminals, they should do their time, but they’re still humans, know what I mean? I just want to shine a light on that really quick.” Please keep C.J. Stroud and his family in your prayers as they battle this situation.