Growing up in Paterson wasn't the easiest thing. by Victor Cruz

Growing up in Paterson wasn't the easiest thing.

Victor Cruz

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Categorized in : Growing Up Growing

Every step, whether at high school or at college or at the NFL, I had to climb and crawl and scratch to get there.

climbing college school

There's only one life. There's no repeats. You only get one life, and you gotta take advantage of it.

repeats advantage

It may seem like I came out of the blue. But, my road was long, windy, full of hurdles, and even some dead ends. I lost family. I lost friends. I even lost my way. When I reached what felt like rock bottom, I realized I had a responsibility to everyone who believed in me and to kids, like me, who just needed a chance and something to believe in.

responsibility believe kids

At the end of the day, there are people out there that want to se... by Victor Cruz

At the end of the day, there are people out there that want to see you fail.

the-end-of-the-day want people

I've always kept that same hunger because I understand that this game isn't promised. I hadn't been here long enough to understand that when it's taken from you, you have to be hungry to get back out there and play and hopefully this year will be that year for me.

taken games years

I never dreamed about being a millionaire - I dreamed about being... by Victor Cruz

I never dreamed about being a millionaire - I dreamed about being a football player.

motivational inspirational football

It was definitely some tough moments throughout my life, but I kind of stayed focused and came through the other end of the tunnel.

tough tunnels kind

I was always the type of person that whenever I started something I finished it. And, I was always held accountable for my actions.

type persons action

My mom lived by herself with two kids. Sacrifice was the name of... by Victor Cruz

My mom lived by herself with two kids. Sacrifice was the name of the game at our house.

sacrifice mom kids

In the city, a lot of crime happens, a lot of violence happens fr... by Victor Cruz

In the city, a lot of crime happens, a lot of violence happens from time to time.

crime violence cities

When I was young, it wasn't about the money, it wasn't about the fame and fortune, it was about playing football.

fortune fame football

You have to think about your image and how you want people to view you. And if it becomes too much, people will get kind of tired of you.

tired views thinking

It's still pretty surreal. I wake up every day and just pinch myself and kind of think about how far I've come and all the stuff I have done.

wake-up done thinking

I think I've got some more big plays left in me. by Victor Cruz

I think I've got some more big plays left in me.

bigs play thinking

Sometimes on the basketball court or on the football field, you enter this place called 'The Zone.' You're not supposed to acknowledge when you're in 'The Zone,' but when you are, you simply cannot be stopped.

nfl basketball football

I can just sense some eyes, some people kinda stare a little bit like they recognize me but don't quite know for sure kinda thing.

eye littles people

I couldn't care less about what anybody else has to say. by Victor Cruz

I couldn't care less about what anybody else has to say.

care

You can't look good and feel good if you're worried about whether... by Victor Cruz

You can't look good and feel good if you're worried about whether your deodorant is working or not.

deodorant feel-good looks

Ben McAdoo has a "work hard" mentality. by Victor Cruz

Ben McAdoo has a "work hard" mentality.

mentality hard hard-work

I don't mess around when it comes to brushing my teeth. Properly brushed, twice a day, every day, to get my day started.

brushing mess teeth