INDIANAPOLIS IN - “Silk City Salsa” king and New York Giants’ wide receiver Victor Cruz is making the biggest splash among Latinos with his quick rise in popularity. Cruz finished the regular season with 1,536 receiving yards, best for third in the NFL, but is better known among Latinos for the unmistakably Hispanic name on the #80 jersey he sports, not to mention his smooth moves in the end zone.

Not to be overlooked, joining him in this Sundays Super Bowl XLVI, is a fellow second year player with the same blood running through his veins. Aaron Hernandez, 22, tight end for the New England Patriots, is also of Puerto Rican decent (paternal grandparents).

This week at the Patriots’ Super Bowl Media Day session, Hernandez was asked about representing Puerto Rico, along with Cruz, in the NFL.
“I think it’s great for obviously the Puerto Rican community,” Hernandez said. “Obviously there aren’t many Puerto Ricans in the NFL, but having some in the Super Bowl is also a great deal.”

Hernandez, born in Bristol, Conn., attended Bristol Central High School. Considered the top tight end recruit out of high school by Scout.com, Hernandez enrolled at the University of
Florida where he, along with Tim Tebow, led the Gators to a 2009 BCS Championship. While at UF, Hernandez was nicknamed “Chico” by his college teammates because he was the only Puerto Rican on the team, something he came to embrace.

Born to parents Terri and Dennis Hernandez, Aaron lost his father at the age of 16. Hernandez’s arm, from his shoulders to his knuckles, tell his story in pure drawings and verses.

Quotes such as, “If it is to be, it is up to me” and “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies on a ...