Former New York Giants football players Brandon London and Victor Cruz pose for a photo with a Vilseck Elementary School class during a visit to the U.S. Army base at Vilseck on Thursday. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Two former New York Giants players visited Vilseck High School and Elementary School to meet students, sign memorabilia and play some football on Thursday.
Wide receivers Victor Cruz and Brandon London connected with Department of Defense Education Activity students, sharing stories of their pro careers and bringing a piece of American football culture to the kids.
With Veterans Day approaching next week, the visit held special significance as Cruz and London engaged with students from military families.
Victor Cruz, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, talks to Vilseck High School students before playing tag football with them at Rose Barracks, Germany, Nov. 7, 2024. The visit along with fellow former Giant Brandon London precedes Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Brandon London, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, plays quarterback for Vilseck High School students at Rose Barracks, Germany, Nov. 7, 2024. The visit along with former teammate Victor Cruz precedes Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Brandon London, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, talks to a student at Vilseck Elementary School in Germany on Thursday. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Victor Cruz, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, talks to a student at Vilseck High School in Germany on Nov. 7, 2024. Cruz and fellow former Giants player Brandon London visited Vilseck schools to talk to students. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Victor Cruz, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, signs memorabilia for a student at Vilseck High School in Germany on Nov. 7, 2024. Cruz and fellow former Giants player Brandon London visited Vilseck schools to talk to students and play a bit of tag football. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
A student shows off his shirt that was signed by former New York Giants players Brandon London and Victor Cruz at Vilseck Elementary School in Germany on Nov. 7, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
“People call us heroes because we play a sport. No, (the students’) parents are heroes because of what they do,” London said.
Brandon London, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, talks to students at Vilseck High School before playing a quick tag football game with them at Rose Barracks, Germany, Nov. 7, 2024. The visit precedes the Giants' Sunday game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Brandon London, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, plays football with students of Vilseck High School at Rose Barracks, Germany, Nov. 7, 2024. The visit along with fellow former Giant Victor Cruz precedes Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Brandon London, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants, talks to students at Vilseck High School before playing a quick tag football game with the students at Rose Barracks, Germany, Nov. 7, 2024. The visit precedes Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck High School students enjoy a quick football game with former New York Giants football players on Nov. 7, 2024. Victor Cruz and Brandon London visited students and talked about playing sports overseas, ahead of the Giants' game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich on Sunday. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz signs a poster for a Vilseck Elementary School student during a visit Thursday. Cruz and fellow former Giants player Brandon London met with students on the U.S. Army post prior to the Giants' game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Former New York Giants players Brandon London and Victor Cruz speak to Vilseck High School students in Germany after a short football game on Thursday. The players visited the high school and elementary school on Rose Barracks prior to the Giants' game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday to talk to students about competition in sports and life. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Former New York Giants player Victor Cruz signs a Vilseck High School student's football helmet during a visit on Nov. 7, 2024. The team is set to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Munich as part of the NFL's International Series. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The players spoke about competition in sports and in life, offering guidance for students aspiring to excel in athletics or other endeavors.
The Giants, who are 3-0 in overseas games, are looking to keep their winning streak abroad alive Sunday in Munich against the Carolina Panthers as part of the NFL’s International Series.
