Victor Cruz Calls The Rock ‘The Template’ For Role Models At MTV Awards

Los Angeles-He may have been a Wide Receiver for the New York Giants and a part of the Super Bowl Championship team in 2012, but as Victor Cruz looks for other avenues to take his career to, he is looking up to someone else as the ultimate in role models.

While walking the red carpet at the MTV Movie and TV Awards on May 7, Cruz told International Business Times that he looks up to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson when it comes to transitioning his career to one that involves acting, even calling the former wrestler the “template” for who to follow.

“I’ve always like Michael Strahan, The Rock, and John Cena. I mean all of those guys have really set the stage and opened the doors for people like myself, athletes trying to get in to the other side of the business,” he told IBT. “I’m excited about it man, and The Rock is definitely the template for any athlete trying to prolong and go into another field. He’s one of the busiest guys in show business for sure.”

As for what he sees himself doing when it comes to any potential television of movie roles, Cruz admits he’s taking things slow for now, but he does have a few types of films he’d be interested in.

“I just kind of want to get into things that fit what I want to do,” he said. “Definitely action, drama, thriller. All of that stuff is right up my alley, but we’ll see. We’ll slow roll it and not take it too far.”

Though roles in fiction projects haven’t yet taken hold for the football player, he will soon be on TV for something else. Cruz is set as the host of the newest installment of MTV's reality series, “The Challenge,” which will premiere a new version called “Champs vs. Pros” on May 16.

“I’m currently hosting a show on MTV called ‘The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros’...I’m excited to see how my first hosting gig goes,” he said. “I had a ton of fun doing it.”

The new show will feature professional athletes going up against veterans from past installments of the show, Among the athletes being featured in the show will be former WWE current MMA fighter CM Punk, Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones, Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, former NFL player Kamerion Wimbley, and former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman.

As of right now, MTV has not announced which former “Challenge” vets will be on the show. Veterans CT, Johnny Bananas and Cara Maria have all been a part of the current installment, “The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions.” That will end on the same night at the “Champs vs. Pros” premiere, which could mean that some of those cast members will be making a double appearance by also being involved in the new show as well.