The Cinderella
Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver – New York Giants
Perhaps no story captivated the 2011 NFL season as much as this undrafted, free agent from the University of Massachusetts. Nearly cut by the Giants in the summer of 2010, Cruz’s life story (now a New York Times bestselling book “Out of the Blue”) is an inspiring, made-for-Hollywood account of a local kid persevering through socio-economic adversity, family tragedy and academic struggles to achieve his dream of playing professional football in his hometown. Cruz, the son of a Puerto-Rican mother and African-American father, wasted no time delivering signature performances against prominent teams and defenses. The feat propelled defensive coordinators to build schemes to keep him from his ‘salsa’ celebration, a move he performs as a tribute to his grandmother, after every touchdown. The 6′-0″, 204-pound Cruz could not have scripted the 2011 season any better. Now cemented as the Giants’ starting wide receiver opposite Hakeem Nicks, what will the 25-year old Cruz do for an encore? The Giants hope he remains on Cruz-control while opposing defensive backs pray they don’t get Cruz-ified.
Photo credits:
Mark Sanchez- John A. Angelilo/Corbis
Aaron Hernandez- Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Corbis
Evan Rodriguez- Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI/Corbis
Tony Gonzalez- Tomasso DeRosa/Corbis
Tony Romo- Daniel Gluskoter/Icon SMI/Corbis
Willie Colon- Jason Pohuski/ZUMA Press/Corbis
Victor Cruz- Chris Szagola/New Sport/Corbis