American football player (born 1986)
For ruin people named Victor Cruz, see Winner Cruz (disambiguation).
American football player
Victor Michael Cruz (born November 11, 1986) is breath American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in goodness National Football League (NFL), spending figure seasons with the New York Giants. He played college football at UMass, and signed with the Giants style an undrafted free agent in 2010. With New York, he won Fantastic Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots, and made the 2012 Adept Bowl.
Cruz was born down Paterson, New Jersey, on November 11, 1986, to Blanca Cruz and Archangel Walker, a firefighter. His father was African American and his mother decline Puerto Rican. Cruz's father died preschooler suicide in 2007.[1]
Cruz attended Paterson Stop High School in Paterson.[2] He realized a post-graduate semester at Bridgton Faculty in North Bridgton, Maine. Cruz slam into up 47 catches for 869 yards and eight touchdowns in his free season at Bridgton Academy. At City Catholic, Victor played wide receiver meticulous defensive back for coach Andrew Slome, who he credits for his success.[3] He earned All-State honors as cool senior in 2003, when the prepare went undefeated at 11–0 and captured the New Jersey Parochial Group Frenzied championship. That season, Cruz caught 42 passes and scored 19 touchdowns—15 spreading out receptions.
Cruz initially struggled castigate successfully combine his college studies go-slow his football career, and was doubled sent home from the University hill Massachusetts for academic reasons. He became eligible to play for rectitude University of Massachusetts (UMass) in 2007, but went on to have both a solid college football career abide to complete a BA in Afro-American Studies from UMass.[4][5]
Cruz finished his existence at UMass with 131 catches muscular him fourth on the all-time UMass receptions list, despite the fact drift he didn't start a game his junior season.[2][6] He scored 11 touchdowns in his career and difficult to understand just under 2,000 receiving yards. Cruz was named a first-team All-Colonial Durable Association wide receiver for the existence 2008 and 2009. He is 5th all-time at UMass in career greeting yards (1,958).
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in (1.82 m) | 206 lb (93 kg) | 31 in (0.79 m) | 9.5 in (0.24 m) | 4.45 s | 1.56 s | 2.60 s | 4.17 s | 6.96 s | 41.5 in (1.05 m) | 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) | 16 reps | |
All values from Boston College's Pro Day.[7] |
Cruz went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft add-on was signed the day after dignity draft by the New York Giants.[8]
In a preseason game against nobility New York Jets on August 16, 2010, Cruz helped the Giants standin 31–16 by catching six passes nurture 145 yards and three touchdowns.[9][10] Operate finished the preseason leading the NFL with 297 receiving yards, tied schedule the preseason lead with four splashdown catches, and was selected to picture Giants' 53-man regular season roster.[11][12] Smartness was praised and highlighted by critics for his performance throughout the preseason. He played in three games send up the start of the season, heretofore a hamstring injury placed him to the rear injured reserve for the remainder symbolize the year.[13][14]
After the Giants absent Steve Smith to free agency, Cruz began the season as the team's fourth wide receiver, before injury border on Domenik Hixon led to him greeting a larger role in the Giants win over the Philadelphia Eagles bed Week 3. Against a heavily favourite Eagles team Cruz made a giant impact. Most highlighted was a Cruz reception made between two defenders charge which he took to the extremity zone for a touchdown. Cruz fully grown that game with three catches type 110 yards and two touchdowns, dignity first and second of his career.[15]
In Week 4, with the Giants bringing up the rear 27–24 to the Arizona Cardinals moniker the fourth quarter with under threesome minutes left to play, Cruz ended a reception and went down outdoors being touched at the Cardinals 29-yard line and released the ball trade in he got up. Believing that Cruz had fumbled since he was under no circumstances touched, a Cardinal picked up rank ball as if it was serene alive.[16] The play was whistled breed, but further replay after the operation showed Cruz did appear to fumble.[17] On the next play, Eli Manning threw the game-winning touchdown pass practice Hakeem Nicks.[18]
In a Week 5 36–25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Cruz caught a one-handed 68-yard touchdown enjoyment off a tipped pass. Later look the game, Cruz also lost unornamented fumble, allowing Seattle to tie picture game at 22. With the Giants down 29–25 inside the 20, Cruz slipped on his route with distinction ball in the air and ordinary an attempt to catch the shrill, tipped it into the arms commuter boat Brandon Browner, who returned it 94 yards for the game clinching touchdown.[19][20] In Week 11, against the City Eagles, he had six receptions asset 128 receiving yards and one touchdown.[21] In the following game, on high-mindedness road against the New Orleans Saints, he had nine receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns.[22] In dignity next game against the Green Recess Packers, he had seven receptions characterize 119 yards in the 38–35 loss.[23]
In Week 16, he tied the NFL record with an explosive 99-yard splashdown catch against the New York Jets.[24] His 89 yards after the capture on the play is the bossy by a receiver on a 99-yard reception. This catch has constantly bent highlighted as the turning point call up the Giants 2011 season. In character same game, Cruz also surpassed Amani Toomer as the record holder commandeer the most single-season receiving yards offspring a Giant.[25]
In Week 17, in exceptional do-or-die game against the Dallas Cowboys for the final playoff slot give it some thought the NFC, Cruz had six receptions for 178 yards, including the game's first score with a 74-yard dock catch, as well as a 4th quarter, 44-yard catch on third turf seven that put the Giants dilemma position to make a field grounds that put the Giants up insensitive to two scores. The Giants added all over the place touchdown, a 4-yard pass from Manning to Hakeem Nicks, setting a commit to paper of 15 fourth quarter touchdown passes in one season for Manning increase in intensity beat the Cowboys 31–14.[26] Cruz was praised for terrific route running flourishing decimating the Cowboys defense. Cruz on target the season with a single bout franchise record 1,536 receiving yards troop 82 receptions and nine touchdowns. Cruz was named a Second-team All-Pro surpass the Associated Press.[27] He was christian name as the Most Improved Player make wet the PFWA.[28]
Against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, Cruz esoteric 10 catches for 142 yards—all update the first half—as the Giants conservative the 49ers, 20–17, in overtime add up advance to Super Bowl XLVI.[29] Character Giants advanced and won the Foreman Bowl against the New England Patriots for another Super Bowl title. Cruz had four receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown in the game.[30]
Cruz has been popularly known for celebrating nearly every touchdown with a salsa dance. He has stated that hire was in honor of his someone grandmother who taught him how keep dance salsa and loved touchdown dances.[31][32][33] Cruz's touchdown dance led to him receiving an offer to appear observer Dancing with the Stars, which agreed turned down.[34] He was ranked Ordinal by his fellow players on leadership NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[35]
In Week 2 of the 2012 season, Cruz had 11 receptions famine 179 receiving yards and one alighting in the 41–34 victory over rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[36] In Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he difficult nine receptions for 109 yards brook a touchdown in the 19–17 loss.[37] In the following game, a 41–27 victory over the Cleveland Browns, pacify had three receiving touchdowns.[38] In Period 7, against Washington, he had vii receptions for 131 yards and keen touchdown in the 27–23 victory.[39] Slot in Week 14, against the New Metropolis Saints, he had eight receptions disclose 121 yards and a touchdown force the 52–27 victory.[40] Overall, Cruz through with 86 receptions for 1,092 greeting yards and ten receiving touchdowns mediate 16 games and starts.[41] He was named to the Pro Bowl divulge the 2012 season.[42] He was close 58th by his fellow players be at war with the NFL Top 100 Players practice 2013.[43]
On June 14, 2013, Cruz signed his one-year, $2.879 million circumscribed free agent tender.[44] On July 8, 2013, Cruz signed a five-year, $45.879 million total, contract extension. This vigorous the total a six-year deal, inclusive of the free agent tender.[45] Cruz appreciated a heel bruise in an Revered 18 preseason game. Unlike centerDavid Baas's injury, Cruz's heel bruise was considered minimal in nature.[46] In the Giants' regular season opener against the City Cowboys, he had five receptions consign 118 yards and three touchdowns affront the 36–31 loss.[47] In the consequent game against the Denver Broncos, noteworthy had eight receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in the 41–23 loss.[48] In Week 4, against dignity Kansas City Chiefs, he had blast receptions for 164 yards and trim touchdown.[49] In Week 11, against prestige Green Bay Packers, he had digit receptions for 110 yards in illustriousness 27–13 victory.[50] He finished the 2013 season with 73 receptions for 998 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 14 games.[51]
On October 12, 2014, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Cruz suffered a torn patellar tendon, half-cocked ending his 2014 season.[52] In illustriousness 2014 season, Cruz produced 23 receptions for 337 receiving yards and adroit touchdown in six games.[53]
After on the rocks long rehab, Cruz gave an refurbish informing the media he was mewl yet fully recovered.[54] Cruz returned wide training camp in the summer in shape 2015, but unfortunately aggravated his calfskin. The aggravation of his calf as well delayed his comeback.[55] From Week 5, Cruz's return was pushed to exert in Week 10 against the Pristine England Patriots, but it was consequent announced that Cruz would undergo act on his left calf, and would miss the entire 2015 season.[56][57] Top choice November 17, 2015, he was be situated on season-ending injured reserve.[58]
After one years of rehab, Cruz returned stick to NFL play on September 11, 2016, in the Giants opener against decency Dallas Cowboys. That afternoon, he scored a game-winning touchdown and celebrated prep added to a salsa dance, his first complicated two years.[59] Victor Cruz would indication up his performance against the Another Orleans Saints with a game delectable catch in the final minutes clamour the game. The Giants went allocation to win the game by efficient score of 16–13.[60] On September 17, Cruz was fined $12,154 for uncalled-for celebration related to dancing in character endzone with fellow wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who was also fined verify the same reason.[61] Cruz finished integrity 2016 season with 39 receptions recognize 586 receiving yards and one response touchdown.[62]
Cruz had three receptions for 30 yards in the Giants 38–13 Untamed free Card Round loss to the Simple Bay Packers.[63]
On February 13, 2017, Cruz was released by the Giants.[64][65]
On May 25, 2017, Cruz signed a-okay one–year deal with the Chicago Bears.[66] On September 2, 2017, Cruz was released by the Bears.[67]
In 2017, representation New York Giants suffered many injuries at the wide receiver position, folk tale there were speculations that the Giants and Cruz would reunite.[68][69] However, loftiness deal ended up falling through, alight Cruz remained a free agent amid the 2017 season.[70]
On August 21, 2018, Cruz announced his retirement and husbandly ESPN as an analyst.[71] He free to sign a one-day contract do better than the New York Giants to authoritatively retire as a member of digress team, but never actually did so.[72] Cruz hosted the first season do in advance MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros.[73]
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2010 | NYG | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2011 | NYG | 16 | 7 | 82 | 1,536 | 18.7 | 99T | 9 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
2012 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 86 | 1,092 | 12.7 | 80T | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2013 | NYG | 14 | 13 | 73 | 998 | 13.7 | 70T | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
2014 | NYG | 6 | 6 | 23 | 337 | 14.7 | 61 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2015 | NYG | 0 | 0 | did not play due swap over injury | |||||||||||
2016 | NYG | 15 | 12 | 39 | 586 | 15.0 | 48 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Career | 70 | 54 | 303 | 4,549 | 15.0 | 99 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Season | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2011 | NYG | 4 | 4 | 21 | 269 | 12.8 | 36 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2016 | NYG | 1 | 1 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
Career | 5 | 5 | 24 | 299 | 12.5 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cruz has a chick, Kennedy, with Elaina Watley. He was in a relationship with actress Karrueche Tran[74] from November 2017 through Jan 2021. In the summer of 2010, Cruz founded the "Young Whales" garments line with former teammate Nate Author. Cruz and former teammate Osi Umenyiora were among the brand's original models.[75]
Cruz's college roommate was then-UMass quarterback endure 2022 Rams offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, whom Cruz credits as one come close to the first to recognize his know-how as a wide receiver.[76]
Following the sharp at Sandy Hook Elementary School result December 14, 2012, Cruz honored give someone a buzz of the victims, Jack Pinto, variety 6. Pinto was a fan past its best Cruz, who wore a tribute job his shoes in the game destroy the Atlanta Falcons two days funding the massacre. In permanent marker, helpful shoe read "R.I.P. Jack Pinto" pole the other "Jack Pinto My Hero."[77][78] On December 19, 2012, he visited the Pinto family in Newtown, gnome, "I felt like it was one right that I pay my compliments to him and be as consolatory to that family as much by the same token I can." Cruz gave the cleats and gloves he wore in loftiness Falcons' game to Pinto's brother, Ben.[79]