You can't picture Victor Cruz without thinking of his signature salsa dance. The New York Giants wide receiver burst onto the NFL scene in 2011 with 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns, but it was the hip-swaying steps that ensured his place on the evening's highlight reel.
The woman who taught Cruz the dance, his grandmother Lucy Molina, died Monday at the age of 77, according to The Star Ledger.
"Obviously she's going to be on my mind," Cruz said, "so it's going to be emotional for me."
Cruz plans to attend her services after practice Thursday and her funeral on Friday. He didn't say if he would miss Friday's practice.
Cruz was by Molina's side in a New Jersey hospital when she died. She had been a frequent visitor to the hospital recently due to various health issues, including diabetes.
Cruz's touchdown celebration is a small shout out to his Puerto Rican roots.
"She meant the world to me," Cruz said. "Besides my mom, she practically raised me. So it's obviously something tough to go through but you just have to take it in stride. Understand that it was her time to go. And God just wanted another angel up there with him."
Cruz is expected to play at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after a disappointing effort in Week 1's loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL kickoff game.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
