The verdict in the George Zimmerman trial elicited a heated response Saturday night from New York Giants wide receiver and Lyndhurst, N.J., resident Victor Cruz, who hinted that Zimmerman’s life may be in danger as a result of his acquittal in the slaying of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.
Cruz, a Paterson, N.J., native who recently signed a $43 million contract, posted on his Twitter account: “Thoroughly confused. Zimmerman doesn’t last a year before the hood catches up to him.”
Cruz deleted his tweet, but not before numerous people saved the image and fanned it across social media.
He then sent a series of Twitter messages Sunday apologizing for the statement and expanding on his feelings about the case:
“My tweet last night was my initial interpretation of the reaction I was reading on Twitter. I immediately realized my tweet was a mistake and I apologize, that’s why I deleted it. I believe conversation, not confrontation, leads to change and progress.
“I never have and never will advocate violence under any circumstances and I pray that we all encourage and educate each other,” Cruz continued. “The death of Trayvon Martin is an unthinkable tragedy that is any parent’s worst nightmare. As a father, I want my daughter to grow up in a country that uses this tragedy to heal and grow and progress. My prayers continue to go out to Trayvon Martin’s family.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.