Outside of his six-year Giants tenure, Super Bowl XLVI champion and former wide receiver Victor Cruz shares a special connection to the Tri-State area.
As a Paterson, N.J. native, Cruz has leveraged his platform to give back to the community that shaped his upbringing.
From supporting Paterson's public schools to pursing charitable partnerships, the Giants legend has made a significant impact post-NFL. Cruz is, however, particularly passionate about empowering youth though education.
The Victor Cruz Foundation, established in 2012, specifically supplements STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming in the Northeast with a goal of increasing the "number of underrepresented kids interest in career fields related to STEM while simultaneously helping build and reinforce some of the basic core school subjects."
In accordance, he has a prolific history of advocating for Paterson Public Schools through appearances, programming and donations.
On Monday, Cruz visited Paterson Public Schools’ STEAM High School on 11th Avenue to commend the program's efforts to engage the youth through a hands-on approach to learning.
"Any time I get the opportunity to give back to my community, to give back to Paterson in a bigger way and obviously it's educationally focused, I'm here for all of that," Cruz said during his time at the school.
Cruz was commended by his former high school football coach, Benjie Wimberly, who now represents Paterson's legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Giants.com looks back at the biggest games/moments in the career of wide receiver Victor Cruz (in chronological order).
Aug. 16 2010 - In a preseason game against the New York Jets, Cruz, then an undrafted rookie, caught 6 passes for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Sep. 25 2011- Cruz makes 3 catches for 110 yards, including his first two career touchdown receptions in a 29-16 Giants win over the Eagles.
Oct. 30 2011 - The Giants came off the bye week at 4-2 and took care of business agains the Dolphins to imrpove to 5-2. Victor Cruz finished with 99 receiving yards and his fourth touchdown of the season.
Dec. 24 2011 - In a Week 16 game against the Jets, Victor Cruz scored on a 99-yard touchdown reception, tied for the longest in NFL history. Cruz finished with 164 receiving yards in a 29-14 Giants win.
Jan. 1 2012 - In a do-or-die game against the Cowboys, Cruz had 6 receptions for 178 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown catch. The Giants won 31-14 and made the playoffs.
Jan. 22 2012 - In the NFC Championship game, Cruz helps send the visiting Giants to the Super Bowl with a 10 catch, 142 yard effort against the 49ers. The Giants won 20-17 in overtime.
Feb. 5 2012 - In Super Bowl XLVI, Cruz catches the first touchdown of the game to put the Giants up 9-0. Cruz finished with four catches as Big Blue went on to capture their fourth Lombardi Trophy.
Sep. 16 2012 - Cruz catches a career high 11 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in a 41-34 win over Tampa Bay.
Oct. 21 2012 - With 1:13 left to play and the Giants down a field goal, Eli Manning connects with Victor Cruz on a 77-yard touchdown. The Giants win 27-23 and improve to 5-2 on the season.
Oct. 7 2012 - Cruz catches a career high 3 touchdown passes in a 41-27 home win over the Cleveland Browns.
Sep. 8 2013 - Cruz ties a career high with 3 touchdown catches and finishes with 118 yards in the Giants season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sep. 11 2016 - After missing nearly two full seasons, Cruz records 4 catches for 34 yards, including the game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass in the Giants 20-19 win over the Cowboys.
View the players set to become free agents when the new league year begins on March 15.
RB Saquon Barkley
UPDATE: Giants have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Barkley
RB Matt Breida
UPDATE: Breida has signed a new contract with the Giants
ILB Landon Collins
LB Jarrad Davis
UPDATE: Davis has signed a new deal with the Giants
DL Justin Ellis
C Jon Feliciano
UPDATE: Fecliano has signed with the San Francisco 49ers
OL Nick Gates
UPDATE: Gates has signed with the Washington Commanders
P Jamie Gillan
UPDATE: Gillan has signed a new contract with the Giants
WR Richie James
UPDATE: James has signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
S Tony Jefferson
WR Marcus Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
UPDATE: Giants have signed Jones to a four-year contract
LS Casey Kreiter
UPDATE: Kreiter has signed a new contract with the Giants
S Julian Love
UPDATE: Love has signed with the Seattle Seahawks
CB Fabian Moreau
WR Sterling Shepard
UPDATE: Shepard has signed a new contract with the Giants
WR Darius Slayton
UPDATE: Slayton has signed a new contract with the Giants
ILB Jaylon Smith
OLB Jihad Ward
UPDATE: Ward has signed a new contract with the Giants
DL Nick Williams
OLB Oshane Ximines
DL Henry Mondeaux (Restricted Free Agent)
UPDATE: Mondeaux has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars
