(Twitter)
Victor Cruz has apologized for a message he directed towards George Zimmerman that some considered a threat.
In the wake of Zimmerman being found innocent in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, the New York Giants wide receiver said he was remorseful over his misguided comment he posted on Twitter.
The ordeal began when Cruz tweeted: “Thoroughly confused. Zimmerman doesn’t last a year before the hood catches up with him,” which he promptly deleted as the comment immediately drew widespread criticism.
Later on Sunday, Cruz again took to Twitter -- this time to recognize he had made a "mistake."
"I apologize, that's why I deleted it," he tweeted. "I believe conversation not confrontation leads to change and progress."
Then he added: “I never have and never will advocate violence under any circumstances and I pray that we all encourage and educate each other.”
“The death of Trayvon Martin is an unthinkable tragedy that is any parent's worst nightmare," Cruz further explained. "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.”
Cruz, who recently signed a five-year contract extension with the Giants reportedly worth $43 million, felt the need to address the issue head on after many fellow social media users caught wind of the deleted tweet.
Lee Elman wrote on the Fox News Latino Facebook page: "As a Giants fan ... I say suspend him ... that can be considered a threat.”
Paul Duque thought Cruz, “should be fined, suspended, or cut from the NFL for inciting violence."
For Aydee Soto, the message cut even deeper.
“Victor Cruz is no longer my man,” Soto wrote. “He lost a fan.”
Facebook user Atkina Starling noted that “celebrities hold greater responsibility for their words, knowing the ones who follow them may act on their hateful words."
Cruz was just one of many athletes who spoke out on the verdict.
In particular, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White's extreme comments shocked many.
First White wrote:“ F***ing Zimmerman got away with murder today wow what kind of world do we live in.” Then he followed it up with this tweet, “All them jurors should go home tonight and kill themselves for letting a grown man get away with killing a kid.”
That comment, retweeted over 3,000 times, was deluged with criticism that eventually led the NFL player to apologize, just like Cruz.
“I understand my tweet last nite was extreme,” White wrote Sunday morning. “I never meant for the people to do that. I was shocked and upset about the verdict. I am sorry.”
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