Victor Michael Cruz was born on 11 November 1986, in Paterson, New Jersey, USA, of African and Puerto Rican descent. He is a professional American Football player in the National Football League (NFL), best known for playing as a wide receiver for the New York Giants. Prior to playing in the NFL he played college football at Massachusetts and was an undrafted free agent before signing with the Giants. The success he’s had since then has put his net worth to where it is now.
How rich is Victor Cruz? As of early-2016, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $9 million, mostly earned through a successful career in professional football. He reportedly earns $8.6 million a year in salary alone and even has his own clothing line, so his net worth is very likely to increase. Cruz also has various collaborations that helped increase his wealth.
Victor Cruz Net Worth $9 Million
Cruz started his football career attending Paterson Catholic High School where he played as wide receiver and defensive back. During his senior year his team went undefeated and eventually won the New Jersey Parochial Group I Championship, with most credit going to Victor’s performance. After Paterson, Cruz attended a semester at Bridgton Academy where he performed well despite being in the school for only a single season. He then attended the University of Massachusetts, but struggled in maintaining his academics and football career. He was sent home twice for negative academic reasons and wasn’t even allowed to play for the school’s team until 2007. He didn’t start playing in the school until his junior year, but still managed to put up solid numbers and finish his degree.
During the 2010 NFL Draft, Cruz went undrafted, but was signed the following day by the New York Giants. During the 2010 season, Victor showed promise by leading the pre-season in receiving yards and touchdown catches. He became part of the regular roster, but only played three games and was side-lined by a hamstring injury. By 2011, Cruz was forced into a bigger role in the team due to free agency and injuries. He performed well and started to show his potential, helping his team to wins, and tying the NFL record 99-yard touchdown catch. He also helped the Giants win against the Dallas Cowboys in a do or die game for an NFC playoff slot. They made it all the way to the NFC title game, in which they faced the San Francisco 49ers and won in overtime. They then faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, which they won. In 2013, Cruz signed a six year extension worth more than $45 million in the contract, significantly increasing his net worth. He continued to play until he was injured in 2014, suffering a torn patellar tendon which ended his season. In 2015, he had to undergo surgery and missed the entire season, becoming a part of the injured reserve.
For his personal life, Cruz has a daughter with Elaina Whatley and they are scheduled to marry. Victor has been known to celebrate touchdowns using a salsa dance as a tribute to his grandmother. He was offered a spot for “Dancing with the Stars” which he declined. He honored one of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School, who was a fan of Cruz. He also does various philanthropic works during his free time.
[on soccer] I have tremendous respect for guys who use only their feet and are so quick laterally and have phenomenal decision-making and can curve the ball the way they do. They're going full speed, and know exactly where to hit the ball to make it spin a certain way or pass it to a teammate.
2
[on writing the SAT 5 or 6 times to qualify for a football scholarship] That was just a dreadful, dreadful test for me, even though passing meant so much. I had to pass to play football in college and keep achieving my dreams.
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Fact
1
The Thoroughbred racehorse Kid Cruz, who finished 8th in the 2014 Preakness Stakes, is named for him.
2
Professional football player. Wide receiver with the New York Giants, 2010-present.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Ballers
2015
TV Series
Victor Cruz
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros
2017
TV Mini-Series
Himself - Host
Rachael Ray
2014-2016
TV Series
Himself / Himself - New York Giants
Training with Victor Cruz
2016
Video short
Himself
Garbage Time with Katie Nolan
2016
TV Series
Himself
Complex Closets
2015
TV Mini-Series
Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2015
TV Series
Himself
Mike & Mike
2012-2015
TV Series
Himself - New York Giants Wide Receiver
Today
2015
TV Series
Himself - Guest
60 Minutes Sports
2015
TV Series documentary
Himself - NFL Player (segment "Sneakerhead")
Fox and Friends
2014
TV Series
Himself - N.Y. Giants Wide Receiver
The Chew
2014
TV Series
Himself - Judge
Live with Kelly and Ryan
2012-2014
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Guest
The Queen Latifah Show
2013
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2012
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The Latino List: Volume 2
2012
Documentary
Himself - Interviewee
The Daily Show
2012
TV Series
Himself
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards
2012
TV Special
Himself
Super Bowl XLVI
2012
TV Special
Himself - New York Giants, WR
The After Party with Jay Glazer
2011-2012
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mike & Mike
2016
TV Series
Himself - New York Giants Wide Receiver
Known for movies
Ballers (2015) as Victor Cruz
Complex Closets (2015) as Himself
Today (2015) as Himself - Guest
The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros (2017) as Himself - Host