NakedSword annually chooses a male performer whose work exemplifies overall excellence and strong audience appeal. The site described Cruz as "a beloved furry power-bottom who has lent his gluttonous and contagious sexual appetite to dozens of the most popular studio titles in recent years."
He was also chosen in recognition of his charitable work, including Cruz's self-funded safer-sex and sexual health awareness campaign and website, HowIRoll.org.
"In forming this partnership with Steve Cruz, NakedSword is proud to affirm its longtime commitment to safer sex," the company said. "In one scorching scene after another, Cruz has proved that safe sex is as hot as it gets. We look forward to working with Steve to expand on his important public health initiatives in the coming year."
NakedSword CEO Tim Valenti praised Cruz for lending star power to issues of importance to gay men.
"Steve is a triple-threat,” he said. “He is a passionate performer, an influential health advocate and a talented director. His outreach campaign makes us proud and his performances make us weak in the knees."
Cruz's first promotional appearance as the 2009 NakedSwordsMan was to serve as a Cybersocket Web Awards red-carpet correspondent Monday night for NakedSword online entertainment series "The Tim & Roma Show." Previous NakedSwordsMan recipients include performers Jake Deckard, Owen Hawk and Colby Taylor.