Throughout his career, retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has been on the end of many tackles.
One of those easily forgettable tackles came in High School against a future professional wrestler.
Former WWE wrestler Eric Arndt, who was known as Enzo Amore, shared a clip on YouTube in 2011 of his New Jersey high school days and how he once tackled the former Giant — although the tackle looks more like a suplex that Arndt might have used in the WWE.
The video has recently gone viral (better late than never).
Cruz, who appeared on The Rock’s “Titan Games” show, which aired on Memorial Day, was made aware of the video and had nothing but good things to say about Arndt.
“I am fully aware of him, yes, absolutely,” Cruz told TheWrap. “The one time I got tackled in my life had to be from this guy in high school, and he won’t [let me] live it down.
“He’s hilarious. Ever since [I saw] that footage a few years ago, I’ve followed his career. And he’s pretty good. He loves wearing sneakers and kicks and stuff and he’s worn my sneakers a bunch of times while he wrestled, so it’s been pretty cool — but that video’s hysterical.”
Arndt recently discussed the tackle and his pre-WWE promo on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s podcast, but despite his recollection of the moment, Cruz has no memory of it.
“When I saw the clip on YouTube, I was like, when was this? What game was this? I had no recollection,” Cruz said. “Obviously, in high school, you remember the good stuff. You remember all the touchdowns, all the times that you shook somebody out of their shoes, something like that. You don’t remember getting tackled by this guy for a 2-yard-gain.”
Cruz last played for the Giants in 2016 and retired from the NFL in 2018.
The 33-year-old Arndt, who grew up in Hackensack, wrestled for the WWE from 2012 until his release from the company in 2018. He currently works on the independent scene as “nZo.” Arndt has also been pursuing a career in music as a rapper as well.
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