Knee protest catches on with Cruz
Former Giant Victor Cruz hasn’t had an opportunity to strut his stuff in the NFL this season, but if he gets a chance, he’ll make a stand by taking a knee during the national anthem. “I haven’t played this year, so I haven’t been in a position to take a knee,” Cruz (inset) told us at the Sandy Hook Promise to Host Benefit at the Plaza Hotel. But he said about taking part in the anti-police-brutality protest movement: “I would, yes.” The 31-year-old Paterson, N.J., native thinks President Trump weighing in the controversy only inflames a hot topic. “He’s done that with everything,” Cruz said. “His priorities are in the wrong place. He’s looking to be a pop culture star and not looking to lead this country.” Cruz put politics aside at Tuesday’s Sandy Hook benefit when he greeted Patriots owner and Trump supporter Robert Kraft with a big hug. “I have individual relationships,” Cruz explained. “I take people for what they are, I don’t necessarily judge them for their relationships. It does seem a little awkward to the naked eye but other than that, I just treat people as individuals.”
The wide receiver last played for the Giants in 2016 after two years of — ironically — rehabbing a serious injury he took to his right knee. He was released by the team this past February and signed by the Chicago Bears in May. They too cut him in September. Still, the salsa-dancing pass catcher hopes to play again.
“It is difficult from a moral standpoint . . . wanting to play the game and come back, but you know, it is what it is,” he said. “You can’t control it, so there’s no sense in losing sleep over it.”
Cruz doesn’t think a fractured left ankle will stop the Giants’ current receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., from returning to superstar form.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Cruz said. “He has a tremendous work ethic. I think his body is still young, so he’ll recover nicely. He’ll be back playing at a high level again.”