National Football League

Cruz nixes 'Dancing With the Stars'

Published Jan. 6, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz revealed Friday he was officially asked to be on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" but passed on the opportunity.

"Because I just want to be focused on football and focused on what's to come," said Cruz, who has become known for his touchdown-celebrating salsa dances, "and I'm just not at the point in my career where I feel like I need to do that."

Asked if he can do a dance other than the salsa, Cruz said, "Got a little bit of rhythm. I don't know how good I'd be at the tango or something like that, but I think if I was to do it, I think I'd be all right."

In a breakout season that no one saw coming, Cruz caught 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns, including a 99-yard score against the Jets in Week 16 and a 74-yard touchdown against the Cowboys in the Giants' division-clinching win Sunday night.

During the broadcast Sunday, NBC Sports took the unusual step of playing salsa music while Cruz danced following his long touchdown.

The network told the sports website Deadspin Thursday that the music had been planned for a Cruz touchdown as long as it did not come on a game-winning play or with the Giants losing by a large margin.