‘Stand-up guy’ Eli Manning must address gear scam: Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz isn’t questioning Eli Manning’s character. But the former Giants wide receiver also said he believes Manning has to address his involvement in a memorabilia scam.

“It’s going to be some conversations to be had,” Cruz said while co-hosting “Ebro In The Morning” on Hot 97 on Thursday. “Something is going to have to be said. Eli is going to have to admit or own up to whatever this is and we’ll see what happens.”

Manning has yet to explain the email he sent to equipment manager Joe Skiba seeking “2 helmets that can pass as game used” in 2010. In a civil lawsuit, collectors claim Manning gave gear that was not worn in games to be sold by Steiner Sports as authentic, which he has vehemently denied. But when asked to explain his role, Manning declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

Cruz, a free agent still waiting to join a team, did say it’s “extremely common” for players to give away gear that was not worn in games, but then added: “But the fact that he wrote the actual words ‘pass for game-worn,’ that’s the part that’s like …,” without finishing the thought.

Then again, Cruz also said he holds Manning in the highest regard, seeming to suggest he believes the quarterback is innocent of any wrongdoing.

“Let’s be clear: His character is top-notch,” Cruz said. “For years in this town everyone has seen him out and about — or probably not seen him because he doesn’t go anywhere — but any time he’s in front of a camera, you see him, he’s always a stand-up guy. He’s always been a high-character individual. So when you see something like this happen, your initial reaction is, ‘Nah, I don’t know what this is, but it will blow over soon.’ ”