Here is the article for the third physical education assignment! Read the article and answer the questions below it in complete sentences! The article is from the magazine SI Kids and it is about Paterson native Victor Cruz...
In less than a year Victor Cruz went from being a benchwarmer to becoming a star wide receiver who helped the New York Giants win the Super Bowl. After playing in only three games as a rookie, Cruz exploded for a franchise record 1,536 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season. An undrafted player out of the University of Massachusettes, Cruz became one of the league’s most popular players, thrilling fans with his breakaway speed and salsa dancing in the end zone after touchdowns.
As a kid growing up in Paterson, New Jersey, Cruz developed the patience and self confidence that would help him become one of the best underdog stories in sports. SI Kids asked the 25 year old Cruz to share some stories from his childhood to show how his early years shaped him.
Football wasn’t the first sport I tried as a kid- it was karate. I was seven years old when I started. I was pretty good and very dedicated. One thing my mom taught me was When you start something you have to finish it. Strive to finish the job. Every three months there was a test and by the time I was 12, I had a black belt.
I started playing football at age 11. My dad was one of the assistant coaches on a team was headed to practice. He asked me if I wanted to come. I was like sure, I’ll play. I had no clue about the game, though. I had watched football before, but I had always wondered, Why do they keep running up the middle the whole time? Can’t they go outside? I was confused.
I remember playing in my first little league football game. I played center. My dad begged the head coach to put me in at running back. “Just give him the ball for one play and let’s see what happens,” he told the coach. “If nothing happens, I won’t bother you for the rest of the year.” The coach agreed. I got the ball, shook two defenders, and I took it 65 yards for the touchdown. I barely knew what I was doing! I knew what direction to run and that was it! Once I scored I was like Did I just do that? Everyone was excited and jumping on me. I didn’t play center after that.
I also played AAU basketball. I was a point guard. We would go everywhere from Las Vegas to California to Hawaii. It was a full month of travel during the summers. One of my favorite basketball memories is when I went to the Pocono Invitational basketball tournament in 8th grade and former NBA Star Stephon Marbury was there. He asked me if I wanted to play him one on one. I was the only kid to score a basket on him the whole day. He won the game, but I scored a point!
Staying out of Trouble
During my summers I loved going to Six Flags Great Adventure. It was fun to go on all of the roller coasters. My favorite was the Batman ride. When I was young, it has just come out. The line was so long! We would have to wait on line for an hour and a half to go on the ride for just 30 seconds.
When the fall rolled around, I was excited to play football. I was pretty good, but I didn’t know it would take me to such high levels. I wasn’t the biggest guy growing up. In grammar school everyone was my height, but by ninth grade you could see the difference. I was smaller than the other guys, I had to play to my strengths. Because I was small, I was quick. I was shifty. I could pass well, run well. I was quicker than the bigger guys. I was little, but I was strong. I was a little firecracker.
Although I grew up in a tough neighborhood, my mother taught me the consequences of doing bad things like stealing cars, underage drinking and dealing drugs. She was always keeping me busy with sports and activities. She knew if she kept me busy, I wouldn’t have time to be in the streets. I was so focused on basketball and football.
Now I have a Super Bowl ring and my hard work and focus has really paid off. Everyone always asks me about my salsa dancing, after scoring a touchdown. When I was young, my grandmother would dance with me all the time. She’s Puerto Rican and whenever she had the chance to dance she would. She taught me when I was seven or eight years old. I did the salsa after my very first touchdown last year. It was definitely a full circle moment. She told me I have to do it every time I score. Now I’ve got pressure to do it- but I don’t mind dancing for her.
1) How does it make you feel knowing that a Paterson native has been so successful in the National Football League?
2) What activites would you like to get involved in that you are not particpating in right now? Why did you choose that? If you are already in activities you love, explain them and what they mean to you.
3) What college did Victor Cruz attend?
4) How many receiving yards did he have last year?
5) If you were Victor Cruz, what are some things you would do to help the Paterson community?
Don't forget about the homework challenge!!!
Homework is due Tuesday, 1/8/2013!
mrs.g is pizza heathy because its baked right
ReplyDeleteHey Mr.Goldstein i was wondering if i could get some type of extra credit assignment to bring my grade up please.
ReplyDelete-Isaac D. 5-1