Who cared that it was two months after the game and not in the Canyon of Heroes? This celebration was for Paterson and the city's very own hero Cruz.
Standing in front of City Hall while being given the "Silk City Key," Cruz crowed, "I'm never afraid to tell people where I'm from and that's Paterson baby!"
Even without streams of confetti raining down or even skyscrapers to throw it from, the five float procession had people showering the wide receiver with love.
Shouts of "Cruuuuuuz" from the men could be heard all along the parade route. Women screamed for another thing— the salsa dance.
"I don't got my dancing shoes on," said Cruz shyly before dancing with his mother after the cheers and music gave him a little motivation. He didn't let the crowd of about 2,000 down as he shook his hips in time with the music that filled the downtown streets.
"It was crazy," said the 25-year old Cruz. "It felt like a dream."
Cruz was joined by other Paterson sports products including Essence Carson from the New York Liberty and Johnny Briggs, a former Phillies player. Even Ottis "O.J." Anderson was on hand. The former Giants running back has two Super Bowl rings of his own.
This caps off a dreamlike season for Cruz. He caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl and became known for his "Silk City Salsa" touchdown dances while having a career season.
The parade couldn't have been more welcome in the city of Paterson which has been facing hard times. Cruz's former-high school coach Benjie Wimberly— now a state assemblyman— raised $50,000 in donations to cover the cost of the parade.
On a sunny afternoon, Paterson had a lot of reasons to be proud.
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