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“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.”—from the epilogue of Out of the Blue
Victor Cruz, the Super Bowl-winning and record-breaking wide receiver, is best known for his explosive plays and salsa touchdown celebrations. While his meteoric rise in the NFL looked like the result of a magical year, it was actually a lifetime in the making.
Raised in Paterson, New Jersey’s gritty Fourth Ward, Cruz overcame numerous setbacks through hard work, perseverance, and the support of his loving family—from his grandmother who gave him his signature dance moves; to his late father, a former firefighter, who introduced him to football and taught him how to play; to his hard-working, single mother who never let him give up in the face of a challenge. They all helped to keep him on the right path, as did his coaches, but Cruz’s journey was never easy. There were family tragedies, academic struggles, injuries, and more. In this inspiring, never-before-seen account, Cruz pays tribute to the people and places that made him the man he is today, recounts his most defining moments, and illustrates how his hardships ultimately unleashed his impenetrable will to win.
Out of the Blue is a candid and moving reflection of an overlooked and undersized athlete with an uncommon last name in American football that was determined to beat the odds and earn his chance to succeed.
Victor Cruz is the New York Giants wide receiver whose breakout 2011 season catapulted him to stardom. In 16 games, Cruz had 82 receptions for 1,536 yards, a franchise season record. He averaged 96 yards-per-game, with nine touchdowns, including a 99-yarder and a crucial Super Bowl catch. Before joining the Giants, Cruz was a standout at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Paterson Catholic High School in New Jersey.
Peter Schrager covers the NFL and college football at FoxSports.com. He is a frequent contributor to GQ, Esquire.com, and The Daily.
Prologue 1
1 Homegrown 19
2 Finding Stability 39
3 A Firefighter's Son 51
4 Trying Something New 73
5 Life Is A Test 91
6 The Real World 117
7 Waiting For A Chance 147
8 Going In 169
9 Rising To The Occasion 195
10 Hometown Hero 215
11 Living The Dream 227
12 New Responsibilities 253
13 Finishing The Job 277
Epilogue 299
Acknowledgments 305
Anonymous
Posted July 18, 2012
A great story about victor and his life and trouble
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 17, 2012
I find this book to be very well written and inspiring for the young fellas with a dream in the NFL. Im a female who was moved by this book. I am a Giants fan but thats not what inspired me to read Victors book, see I am also an hispanic but Im one of those you`ll never guess i was one. I was interested in his backround and wanted to read who Victor Cruz was and his journey. His life is pretty interesting. I recommend this book to all upcoming athletes wanting to be in the professional league of any sport. Cruz takes pride in who, where and what he is. Never Give Up on anything you started, make it better, improve until you feel accomplished !
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 4, 2012
Lets go victor cruz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2013
This is relly good book
Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2013
So good
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Posted January 19, 2013
I loved this book. I am a single mom trying to raise a 14 year old son who has issues fitting in since he is half black. He is strughling with school. I read this book and thought it was just what my son needed. My son read it from cover to cover. He is so motivated and inspired. I see a light in his eyes. He talks about how if Victor Cruz can succeed then so can I. My son is now making As and Bs. He is also motivate to excel more in sports. This book has really turned my son around and has changed his life. THANK YOU VICTOR CRUZ FOR SHARING YOUR STORY...
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Posted January 4, 2013
great book for young athletes to read! They won the super bowl! I love you victor cruz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted January 4, 2013
the giants suck
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Posted January 1, 2013
This book is a great book because it explains all of the hardships that he went through to be where he is now. When I read this book it inspired me to do a lot of sports so I tried out for volleyball but I got cut, just like Victor did in the beginning. He never gave up on his dream so all of you young athletes who have been rejected in life you shoukd never give up and keep trying to succeed what you love to do. I love being a Giants fan because that team inspires young kids to do their best. Not any other NFL teams do that to young kids. I am proud to be a Giants fan and to be Victor Cruz's fan.
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Posted December 6, 2012
Victor Cruz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Skizze21
Posted November 28, 2012
I'm a giants fan so I couldn't help but enjoy this book. You got a good look into his life of how hard he works to get better and help his family. He comes across as a very loyal person and seems like a really good guy.
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Posted November 12, 2012
I met him before becaukse my aunt works at him school and the same classroom he was taught in he came to visit the class and i also went to visit
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Posted November 2, 2012
I love u the giants &i was touch by your live l hop u get at youre send enemy &always rember that jefrey white jr is o giants fan thlat will get2read your books!Please send me a call !
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Posted August 21, 2012
Great book for all Giants fans
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Posted August 7, 2012
Its amazing i met him in co-op
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Posted July 27, 2012
A memoir about his life...truely amazing!!!!
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Posted January 1, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 15, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 11, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
“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.”—from the epilogue of Out of the Blue
Victor Cruz, the Super Bowl-winning and record-breaking ...