Victor Cruz Apologizes For George Zimmerman Tweet Saying He Won't 'Last A Year Before The Hood Catches Up To Him'

Victor Cruz has been one of the most talked about NFL stars this offseason due to the fact that the 26-year-old Pro Bowler was seeking a long-term deal with the New York Giants.

Recently inking a six-year, $46 million deal with the team he helped win Super Bowl XLVI, the former University of Massachusetts standout is now the highest paid slot receiver in the National Football League since his contract will pay him more than slot stars Wes Welker and Danny Amendola.

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While Cruz was certainly deserving of his recent financial bonus, the Patterson, New Jersey native recently came under fire after posting an inappropriate comment on his Twitter page.

Reacting to the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict after a a panel of jurors found the 28-year-old innocent in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Cruz took to the social media website to express his feelings, not realizing the amount of negative feedback he would receive.

"Zimmerman doesn't last a year before the hood catches up with him," Cruz posted on his page.

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Though the NFL star's post didn't last long because Cruz himself deleted it, the message received loads of backlash because of the fact that multiple sources are indicating that George Zimmerman is in fear for his safety following the verdict of not guilty.

"He has always feared for his safety, we have always feared for his safety and our safety as a family," George Zimmerman's brother Robert said recently. "There are factions, there are groups, there are people that would want to take the law into their own hands or be vigilantes in some sense if they think that justice was not served."

Robert Zimmerman also added that his brother is worried about the fact that many people may not be able to put the not guilty ruling behind them, creating added danger for Zimmerman and his family

"They won't respect a verdict no matter how it was reached and they will always present a threat to George and his family."

Probably realizing that the buzz surrounding the recently completed trial isn't over, Cruz wisely removed the post from his Twitter page and issued a string of apologies while sending his thoughts and prayers to the family of Trayvon Martin.

My tweet last night was my initial interpretation of the reaction I was reading on twitter.I immediately realized my tweet was a mistake and
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013

I apologize, that's why I deleted it. I believe conversation not confrontation leads to change and progress. I never have and never will — Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013

advocate violence under any circumstances and I pray that we all encourage and educate each other. The death of Trayvon Martin is an
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013

unthinkable tragedy that is any parent's worst nightmare. As a father, I want my daughter to grow up in a country that uses this tragedy to — Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013