Cruz Gets It Together To Become Giants Star

He's making headlines and delighting the fans by helping his team- dance to the Superbowl

But before all the fan fare & accolades Giants Wide Receiver, Victor Cruz nearly became a statistic- a talented athlete- who never made it.

Cruz says:"I had some academic issues early on in college, your mom's not there, & I was free having a goodtime, I was like I don't have to go to class."

In 2006 he was ruled academically ineligible.

The next year his low grade point average would get him kicked out.

Victor returned home to NJ (edit in track) determined to get his life back on track

Cruz says: "I understood it's my responsibility & I control my own life path"

Those who know Victor Cruz best, like his high school coach, had little doubt he wouldn't get it together.

Former coach Wimberly says: "I had a full faith in him that he would reach his potential at some point

Growing up in the tough Fourth Ward in Paterson, NJ, Cruz realizes his life could have went in another direction.

Cruz says: "I saw friends go to jail, friends get shot, friends get killed through grammar school through high school, I never wanted to be that guy".

Victor credits both his parents for keeping him busy with sports and out of trouble. He calls mom Bianca his best friend

Cruz says: "We can look at each other & she'll know what i'm thinking & we'll bust out laughing"

And says his dad Mike who died in 2007, is his biggest role model.

"He would wake up at 3 in the morning go to work & be a firemen, work 24hrs, fight 3 fires, come home be exhausted & still wake up & take me to football practice

Today, Victor himself is called a role model.

And no where is it more evident than at his alma mater, Paterson School 21

Kim Nutter, 6th Grade teacher, says: "We knew that Victor had that gumption & that drive when he stepped foot into the school.:

Rhonda Tombling-Bowden, 8th grade teacher, says: "it makes us be able to tell the students that you know a local kid from the community made it out & he's doing great & you can do the same thing."

Aand according to the students his success has made a huge impact

Tyrie Sampson, an 8th grader, says:"It's surprising that one inspiration can change the whole city of Paterson"

Chris Diaz, an  8th grader, says: "He's also hispanic living in this community, it's not much hope out there for him but actually made far & succeded his dreams."

Victor who is 1/2 African American & 1/2 Puerto Rican is bilingual and proudly celebrates his Latino heritage by doing the Salsa- the dance his grandmother taught him- after scoring a touchdow.

"Once she saw me do the salsa & she said you can't leave it now you have to keep doing it"

Cruz continues to do it- in his 2nd NFL season- he has become an NFL superstar, set a single-season Giants record for receiving yards and became a dad for the first time last month.

I'm Russ Salzberg for the Ten O'Clock News