Victor Cruz Announces Retirement From NFL; Joins ESPN as Analyst

On Tuesday, former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz officially announced his retirement from the NFL, at the age of 31. 

“The game of football has just given me so much,” Cruz said in his announcement, via Uninterrupted. “My journey hasn’t been the easiest; it’s definitely had some ups and downs, and some rough patches.” 

Back in February 2017, the salsa-dancing baller was released from the Giants after seven seasons, and a Super Bowl Championship. Now, after about a year as a free agent, Cruz has decided to hang up his cleats for good, but according to him, he’s not quite finished with football. 

“This last chapter of my life was a great one. To win a Super Bowl, to play in a Pro Bowl and to have my daughter born throughout all of this as well,” he said.

In his surprise announcement, Cruz revealed the next phase in his life and career, as he is set to join ESPN as an NFL analyst. 

“As I officially close one chapter of my life and begin another, I could not be more thrilled to join another championship team at ESPN,” Cruz said via ESPN media. “I’m excited to get started and share my insight and analysis with the viewers and fans of the NFL.” 

Cruz will make his ESPN debut on Wednesday, at 9 am on both “Get Up!” And “Sportscenter.” 

“I’ll always be blue 80 in New York in my opinion, in my mind, in my heart,” Cruz said. “To me, the blue 80 jersey will always say Cruz on the back of it, New York City. I hope the fans don’t lose that. That’s where I was born, essentially, from a football perspective, and [the Giants and the New York City area] will always be home, always be family.”