Retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz remains deeply engaged in the NFL community long after hanging up his cleats. As a respected analyst, he has hosted numerous television shows since retiring. Yet, true to his playing days, philanthropy and giving back have always been cornerstones of Cruz’s life.
In a recent interview with Giants Wire, the ex-Giants star opened up about his renewed collaboration with the NFL Alumni Association (NFLA) to champion the On 3: Weight. Health. Hike! campaign this Hispanic Heritage Month.
Launched to spotlight weight management and holistic wellness, the initiative resonates profoundly with Cruz, who hails from Paterson, New Jersey, and draws from his Hispanic family heritage.
“For the second year in a row, I’ve partnered with the NFL Alumni just to bring awareness around excess weight and being healthy and staying healthy and what that looks like and what communities that affects,” Cruz said. “I grew up in a very Hispanic community, and you know, being unhealthy, being overweight really affected my community, so when they brought this to my attention and realized that there’s gonna be an initiative, I wanted to join wholeheartedly.
“And a lot of people think excess weight it’s just about appearance and think it’s just about having those excess pounds on you. We just encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, to get up, to work out, to be active, and obviously, you can find a lot of different information on NFLAon3 to see how you can help out, to have ways of working out on there, and how to just stay ahead of the game.”
Amplifying this vital message aligns seamlessly with Cruz’s personal ties to the cause, making his role as a campaign ambassador especially fulfilling.
Cruz continues to etch his legacy with the Giants, holding the franchise record for single-season receiving yards — a mark he set during the 2011 campaign that culminated in New York hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. He stays deeply involved in the Giants faithful, frequently attending games and contributing to the team’s postgame broadcasts.
Philanthropy remains at the heart of Cruz’s endeavors, exemplified by the Victor Cruz Foundation, which channels his commitment to uplifting underserved communities nationwide. Through such initiatives, Cruz not only honors his roots but inspires healthier, more connected futures for all.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Ex-Giant Victor Cruz fuels NFL health push for Hispanic Heritage Month
