In Bill Pennington 's “Defying the Odds: Victor Cruz” he talks about Victor Cruz’s unusual and difficult path to the NFL. Cruz has always been a very talented wide receiver, but it wasn’t his talent that was making his journey to the NFL difficult, it was his academics. “Cruz needed a C average to remain at the university. He was not close to that” (Pennington 867). Cruz was dismissed from the University of Massachusetts and his scholarship was revoked. I have always respected Cruz and he has been one of my favorite players, but after reading this article my respect for Cruz has grown immensely (Pennington). After being dismissed from school, Cruz did not have much to go back to at home and Cruz’s mother was distraught. “UMass was supposed
…show more content…
“Walker’s death in 2007 served to redouble Cruz’s focus on his studies. “I had to be the man of the family,” he said. “It was up to me not to waste the opportunities I had been given” (Pennington 872). Hard work and determination got Cruz reinstated back into UMass. He translated his success in his schooling to success on the field, leading the team with more than 1,000 receiving yards, although this was not enough for NFL scouts to draft him. This was just another obstacle too small to get in Cruz’s way …show more content…
Although he was one of my favorite players I had no idea how much he actually went through to get where he is today. Cruz has missed the entire 2015 NFL season with injury but I have no doubt in my mind he will overcome his injury and come back to play like he has been throughout his career. Reading about Marsh-Williams’s shock of seeing Cruz in the preseason was definitely the highlight of this article, reading about how she dismissed Cruz and saw his hardships then to see him three years later performing on the stage he was. Pennington did a very good job of covering all of Cruz’s hardships through his life and mentioning his success he has had after overcoming his struggles. If anyone thinks of football players as someone who just won the genetic lottery and his putting his body on the line for some money should read this article. Many great players have overcome an immense amount of obstacles to get where they are
“Walker’s death in 2007 served to redouble Cruz’s focus on his studies. “I had to be the man of the family,” he said. “It was up to me not to waste the opportunities I had been given” (Pennington 872). Hard work and determination got Cruz reinstated back into UMass. He translated his success in his schooling to success on the field, leading the team with more than 1,000 receiving yards, although this was not enough for NFL scouts to draft him. This was just another obstacle too small to get in Cruz’s way …show more content…
Although he was one of my favorite players I had no idea how much he actually went through to get where he is today. Cruz has missed the entire 2015 NFL season with injury but I have no doubt in my mind he will overcome his injury and come back to play like he has been throughout his career. Reading about Marsh-Williams’s shock of seeing Cruz in the preseason was definitely the highlight of this article, reading about how she dismissed Cruz and saw his hardships then to see him three years later performing on the stage he was. Pennington did a very good job of covering all of Cruz’s hardships through his life and mentioning his success he has had after overcoming his struggles. If anyone thinks of football players as someone who just won the genetic lottery and his putting his body on the line for some money should read this article. Many great players have overcome an immense amount of obstacles to get where they are