CJ Stroud explains that he mentored Caleb Williams

After Sunday night's game between the Bears and the Texans, a video surfaced of Houston quarterback CJ Strode. giving advice to Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. Some took issue with Williams' apparent lack of interest in taking advice. Others took issue with Stroud, who was only a month older than Williams, advising Williams.

Either way, Stroud explained the situation to reporters on Wednesday.

“I gave me and Caleb some of the best advice last year, I wasn't trying to treat him like I was trying to make him a 'little brother' or anything,” Stroud said. “He knows that too. I have a ton of respect for him. I told him I have respect for him. But I had a lot of guys come up to me after the Games last year and it meant the world to me that those guys even thought to give me advice. So, I try to give back what the game is giving me. So, I wish him well.

“I want him to do great things in this league. I think he would. I think he'll find his groove and once you find your rhythm, I didn't find my rhythm until week 3, week 4. So, I can see his game picking up from here. I don't think he was trying to be mean, he was just upset that they lost. I totally understand. I have a lot of respect for that man. I want him to do as well as any other guy until he plays that day. And at the end of the game, we can calm down. But I'm definitely rooting for him and want to see him do very well.”

Whatever the circumstances, both boys knew or should have known that the cameras and microphones were on. And reasonable minds can and will differ in their interpretation of what they see and hear.

Was Williams appropriately respectful? Was it disrespectful for Stroud to act as though the age and experience gap was much greater than he was?

The message is clear to all players. When you show up for work, assume that everything you say and do will be recorded. And if you make room for misinterpretation, people will interpret what you say and what they want.