Full Circle Moment as Terp Nick Cross Takes the Field for the Washington Commanders

Training camp in the National Football League (NFL) represents new beginnings for all invested in the game. The same is true for Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross. However, he’s writing the next chapter of his career right in his backyard.

The Bowie native, DeMatha Catholic graduate and former Terps Football defensive back is realizing a childhood dream this upcoming season, returning home to the DMV area and suiting up for the team he grew up supporting.

“It’s a surreal moment. Something I never really thought about or thought would really take place,” says Cross. “When it was able to come to fruition, it was a good feeling. I’m happy to be back home.”

In his three years at the University of Maryland as a student-athlete and finance major in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Cross made the most of his time on campus, earning three consecutive All-Big Ten honorable mentions before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Following four productive seasons with the Colts, with whom he established himself as a full-time NFL starter, Cross signed a two-year deal with the Commanders in March as a free agent.

Since returning to the area, he wasted no time getting reacclimated and paying forward the support he received throughout his upbringing and playing career. In July, he partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to distribute backpacks and school supplies, and intends to continue leveraging his platform and this opportunity to make a positive impact in the community. 

“For as much as has been given, much is required. God has blessed me a lot, so it's my responsibility to be a good steward of what he's given me,” says Cross. “I want to connect with the community and show that I was also one of those kids back in the day.”

In addition to giving back, Cross is keen to serve as an example by eventually completing his undergraduate finance degree at the Smith School, which he put on hold when he declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year. Recognizing the importance of obtaining a college degree, he says that, as part of that decision, he promised his parents that he’d ultimately return to “finish what I started.” 

Given his aspirations to play professional football, Cross says he naturally gravitated toward finance to better understand how to manage his money and establish a foundation of financial literacy for his career.

Right now, he’s entrusted his finances to his partners at Brass Capital. However, Cross says his academic background has empowered him in conversations and in supporting his team’s investment decisions.

“I always knew that when I got to this point, I would know how to manage my money. I wanted to make sure that I would always know what is going on with my finances, how I can provide input and what questions needed to be asked.”

Cross hopes to use his eventual degree to build on the financial success he has already achieved and potentially explore a broadcasting career.

For now, he’s enjoying furthering his NFL career around familiar faces and places, and looks forward to plenty of busy Sundays ahead of him for the foreseeable future.

“At the end of the day, it's not about things you acquire. It's about the legacy you leave,” says Cross. “I want to leave a lasting legacy for one as a man of God, but also as someone who helped the community and made the most of my opportunities.”