Victor Cruz’s Great Take on Rob Gronkowski and Partying

When he was asked about a racial double standard between New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and players like Cam Newton and Odell Beckham Jr., Giants receiver Victor Cruz gave the best answer possible.

It may be hard for New England Patriots fans to find much to like about any New York Giant, but New York receiver Victor Cruz absolutely nailed it when he was asked about Gronk’s propensity for throwing down and whether the big guy more or less gets a free pass while players like Cam Newton and Odell Beckham Jr. might be slammed in the press for partying like Gronk does.

How does Gronk pull it off? Victor Cruz says it’s simple: he’s being himself and owning it.

From USA Today, here’s what Cruz had to say:

"“I mean Gronk is kind of labeled as that guy that likes to have fun and party and things like that,” the Giants receiver said when asked how the standard set for the tight end compared to the one set for players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Cam Newton. “And you know that because he’s open about it and doesn’t hide it but if it was someone like Odell or Cam to do it, it would just be talked about a little bit more than when Gronk does it because you expect that from Gronk and you don’t expect that from Odell or Cam.“So there’s just a double standard there due to their personalities and how they are. But I think either one is cool,” he added. “At the end of the day you have to live your life. You can’t just be behind a tinted window the whole time and not be able to do what you want to do. I think there’s a little bit of a double standard but at the end of the day do what you want.”"

This sounds like Victor Cruz is walking down a pretty sketchy tightrope (the “OMG racism!!1! tightrope, specifically), but he brings it home in spades here:

"“That’s just him and he’s branded himself that way. And that’s the way he is I don’t think it has anything to do with race,” Cruz said. “I think it’s more so Gronk being Gronk and doing what Gronk wants to do. And a party like that is expected from Gronk, we expect it from him because we’ve seen videos of him dancing and we’ve seen videos of him having fun in nightclubs. Those type of things are expected. Now we don’t see those type of videos from Odell or Cam in that variety, we won’t expect that from them.”"

(slow clap)

Bravo, Senor dancer of the Salsa. Bra-vo. Everyone likes real people, and everyone hates phony people, and Gronk’s just having a blast and letting us all watch him enjoy the ride.

Here’s how Rob put it in his book It’s Good to Be Gronk last summer:

"“I don’t hurt anyone (except Gord with the occasional kick to the groin), I don’t do drugs, I don’t drive drunk, I don’t break the law…I’m a 23-year-old guy just looking to have a fun time.”"

Gronk’s also pretty consistent when he’s asked about it – yes, I like to turn up, next question. Here’s an interview in DuJour Magazine (whatever that is):

"“There’s definitely a time to party and a time to focus on work, but you need to let loose a little bit so that you can go back on Monday feeling refreshed and motivated to work hard again,” he says. “People act like dancing is breaking the law and partying is a crime. Everyone thinks I’m in trouble 24/7, but what have I really done besides dance?”"

And on top of that, the man has no problem saying his favorite drink is a classic basic white girl drink of choice:

"“My drink is usually vodka with water because it gets you hydrated and drunk at the same time.”"

So hats off to you, Victor Cruz, for actually taking the time to think for five seconds and give a well-reasoned take on New England’s club hero, the man who, let’s not forget, told us all:

“Yo soy fiesta!”