Victor Cruz at JAY-Z's 40/40 Club during Fanatics Fest NYC held at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York
Credit : Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty
Victor Cruz is navigating raising a teenage daughter
On Friday, June 20, the former NFL star opened up to PEOPLE exclusively about what it's like raising his 13-year-old daughter Kennedy, saying that she speaks to him in a way he "wouldn't have dared to speak when I was a kid"
Cruz noted that "the emotions are flowing high" with his daughter, as she enters her teenage years
On Friday, June 20, the former NFL star, 38, chatted with PEOPLE exclusively at Fanatics Fest in New York City about what it's like having a teenager. Cruz, who's the father of 13-year-old daughter Kennedy, says that the latest thing at the moment is "combating her mouth."
"The emotions are flowing high, and all the things are happening right now. I think the latest moment is just combating her mouth," he tells PEOPLE. "These kids who just have a specific way [of] speaking to parents that I wouldn't have dared to speak when I was a kid, so I just navigated without having to grab my belt off my waist like my mom used to do to me. I think that's the biggest navigation that I'm having right now."
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Kennedy Cruz, Victor Cruz The Obama Portraits Opening Reception at the Brooklyn Museum
Kennedy Cruz, Victor Cruz The Obama Portraits Opening Reception at the Brooklyn Museum
The former NFL star posed with his daughter Kennedy in Parents Latina's August/September 2020 digital issue, where he discussed how his upbringing has impacted his parenting and how he and Kennedy's mother prioritize their child over everything else.
"You can't do anything as a co-parent without talking," he said. "Even if you're no longer living under the same roof, the discussions still need to happen for the sake of your kid. And you have to put your ego aside because it can create turmoil and distraction."
"The focus should never be on the parents," he added. "If your child is happy, then everyone is going to be happy."
When Kennedy was 9 years old, she made her fashion show debut at American Girl's 35th Anniversary Fashion Show event in New York City, in partnership with Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR).
At the event, which also celebrated the debut of American Girl's World by Us doll and book line to promote unity and equality, Kennedy modeled one of the looks inspired by the new dolls and created by celebrated HFR designers.
Asked about the event and what it means to him, Cruz said, "This is something that involves inclusion that brings little girls together, that lets them see themselves in the dolls, that's the best part. That's the unique part, it's them seeing themselves in the dolls and living through everyday life seeing that truth."
Victor Cruz at JAY-Z's 40/40 Club during Fanatics Fest NYC held at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York
Victor Cruz at JAY-Z's 40/40 Club during Fanatics Fest NYC held at the Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York
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The father of one also spoke about his influence on his daughter's fashion, sharing that he teaches her to "just dress how she feels."
"It's been quite a few years since she's taken any fashion advice from me because she likes to get dressed herself and do things herself and go in her own closet and she does a really good job! So I just teach her to express herself," he added.
The athlete shared photos from the event on his Instagram page, writing that Kennedy's modeling debut was a "proud dad moment for me."
"My baby is blossoming into a star!" he added.