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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Victor Cruz couldn't even dream up a scenario like the one that played out Sunday. To catch the game-winning touchdown on the road against the Dallas Cowboys after missing nearly two years to injuries didn't enter his mind. After what he's gone through to get back on the field, why would it?
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"No, to be honest with you, but I'm excited to have that opportunity," Cruz said after catching four passes for 34 yards and a score. "I'm excited just with the way my life is unfolding here. I don't know what kind of ending it's going to have. I don't want it to end."
Cruz broke off his route to catch a 3-yard toss from Eli Manning with 6:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, lifting the New York Giants to a 20-19 win in the season opener at AT&T Stadium.
The significance for Cruz went beyond just the victory. The 15th anniversary of Sept. 11 resonates with Cruz, the son of a 30-year New Jersey fireman who was among the first responders at Ground Zero.
Cruz wore special firemen-inspired cleats before and USA-themed ones during the game to honor the occasion. He wasn't sure if he would get fined by the league, but joked that his teammates would gladly pay it.
"It's a heavy-hearted day. You think about that moment, think about where you were that day, think about the emotions that went through your body on that day and you relive those moments," said Cruz, then a high school sophomore in Patterson, N.J.
"It's one of those that you remember forever and one of those days now that you want to honor those first responders, those firemen and police officers that were there, and just cherish the moment because you know that a drop of a dime something like that could happen."
The Giants had a first-and-goal from the 3 on the go-ahead drive. Manning tried to get the ball to Odell Beckham Jr. on the first two plays, only to watch both throws fall incomplete.
On third down, the New York quarterback went back to a receiver who - before Sunday - he last hooked up with on Oct. 13, 2014.
"They had pretty good coverage, and Victor just did his deal," Manning said. "He felt he was covered, saw me moving around the pocket and found the open window. He kept alive, and that's what he does well."
Cruz then strutted to the back of his end zone to salsa for the first time on a football field in what felt like forever.
"Just elated in that moment," he said. "Couldn't describe what was going through my body. I wanted to obviously do the dance and make sure I got that down pat, and just celebrate with my teammates. Everybody is just pulling for me each and every day, each and every week as we got closer and closer to Week 1."
