When a player is relentless in their effort and tenacity, they’re often praised for their motor. The simple ability to keep going is innate and ingrained in their psyche. Perhaps no current NFL player represents this phrase quite like Maxx Crosby. And that’s true on and off the field.
There are only four men who have more sacks than Maxx during his six years in the NFL, and he has more total tackles than all of them. And he was drafted later than all of them. That’s the Maxx Crosby experience to a tee: counted out, undervalued but undeniably productive and relentless despite all that.
Crosby’s Las Vegas Raiders are a hard bunch to figure out. A stunning win over the Ravens had fans clamouring at what this season could become, until a week later an even more stunning loss to the Panthers had those same fans leaving Allegiant Stadium early and booing the home team.
Through it all Crosby remains a constant. He just missed the first game of his career last week, but of course he’s fighting through that ankle injury to get back on the field, possibly as soon as this Sunday vs. the Broncos. In the meantime he got on the line with Complex to discuss this season, his desire to be an even better player, and his new partnership with the appropriately named Saxx as an ambassador of the underwear brand, and of course his GOAT, Future.
Eddie:
Yeah, we’ll start with just this season and how it’s going so far. It’s been a little up and down big win for the guys this past weekend. As you deal with an injury, what has made this season different for you than your previous seasons? There has been a lot going on already. You got a new coach, you got some turnover in the offseason and you guys are building a new defense. So what’s this season been like so far?
Maxx:
Yeah, we’re 2-2, man. That’s the reality of it. You’re always going to hear noise being on the Raiders that just comes with the territory, but at the end of the day, we’re here to win. And I love what we’re doing as a defense. We’re continuing to improve special teams. We’re crushing it. Offense is getting better, it’s just perspective. It doesn’t matter if you win by 30 or win by one, the win is a win, a loss is a loss. So at the end of the day, I like where we’re at. And all that we have to continue to do is continue improving what we got to improve and focus on finding ways to win games. So it doesn’t have to be pretty, it doesn’t have to be whatever. Whatever we got to do to win. I believe we got the guys in the locker room that love football and live it, and that’s what we’re going to keep preaching and doing. So it’s been a good start.
Eddie:
So I talked to Coach AP at the beginning of this season and I asked him, “How does Max Crosby get better? This is a complete player at this point. What does he do?” He said something to the tune of, it’s about playing better team defense now, right? It’s not always going to show up statistically, but there’s things that Max can do that will help our team just as much as it helps him and the team’s better, he’s better on and on. From your perspective, how do you improve after already being this level of player that you are and what do you feel like you added this off season?
Maxx:
Well, for me, my mindset is more is required, man. That’s how I operate on a daily basis. There’s always room for improvement. My goal is to be the best in the world at what I do and I believe I am, but I still have another level. Last couple years I’ve been a second team All-Pro. I want to be first team, I want to be a Defensive Player of the Year. I haven’t done all those things. I want to be a Super Bowl champion most importantly. And I haven’t done those things. So people think I get asked all the time, how can you get better? And I’m like, I’m telling you I’m going to be better and I’m going to keep proving everybody wrong. So right now it’s been a different start to the year we’re two and two.
I’ve started at three sacks and five TFLs my first two games. And then I get hurt right at the end of the Baltimore game. So it’s like everything happens for a reason. And it always gets darkest before the dawn. So for me, I’m being tested and I know everything that’s happened in my life and everything leading up to this, it all happens for a reason because I’ve gone through harder, I’ve gone through worse, and it’s just another test for me and I’m going to continue passing on flying colors. So I’m here for my brothers, bro. At the end of the day, whatever I got to do to help our defense and help our team in general, whether that’s being a leader, whether that’s sacrificing what I got to do to help put others in better positions, I’m willing to do that. So I love our defense, I love our team in general, and we just got to, like I said, keep improving and whatever I got to do in my position to win, that’s literally all that matters to me.
Eddie:
Now we saw that great clip of you with Gardner Minshew where you’re pumping him up, telling him “We want that old Gardner back, come on, we believe in you.” I think you’re widely viewed as the leader of this team. I’m not in the locker room obviously, but you are the face of the team for a lot of people. How important is that for you to be that type of leader, to be the person who goes up to the quarterback and says, we got your back, it doesn’t matter. And where does that come from? Has it always been there for you your whole career?
Maxx:
No, it is like anything else. It’s trained. I mean, you got to learn how to be a leader. You have to prove that you can lead others by your actions. You can’t just say, yeah, I’m the face of the franchise. I’m the best player, so I’m going to just be a leader now. That’s not how it works. And I feel like nowadays that’s what a lot of people are missing and a lot of the league is missing is just guys that just because they’re that player, they think they can just be a leader because others, the outside world use it that way. But being a leader is being there for your brothers. I can go example for example. I’m not going to talk about it, but they know I got their back.
And my guys know they got their back and I show ’em every single day. And that’s really all that matters to me. I’ma always be real. There’s times where some dudes probably want to fight me and get mad. But I’m coming at ’em for the best interest. So every guy needs to be pushed or some guys need to be pushed, some guys need to be pulled and some need to be arm in arm. So being a leader, you got to know your guys and have those relationships, be able to have those type of conversations with him.
Eddie:
What’s it been like with Coach Pierce? He comes into the middle of last season and you guys have him on the staff, but it’s different when he gets the big chair, the headset, and now this year he has his first camp, he gets to put his team together. What’s it been like? You guys seem like you’re closer and on the same mission. Just very curious to see what that relationship is like for you guys now.
Maxx:
It’s been dope. Me and AP have a great relationship. He’s real. Everybody feels that energy. He doesn’t play games. It’s black and white and that’s how you create a great culture and it’s player driven. At the end of the day, the coaches, they steer the ship, but the players drive that thing. It’s a big difference. And he believes in us. We believe in him, and that’s really all we’re focused on. It’s just finding ways to improve and win. It doesn’t matter what everybody else has to say, they can say whatever they want, but at the end you’re going to know who the real fakers are, who the real ones are, and we’re just trying to put our team in a position to have a chance when it really matters. So I think is doing AP great job.
Eddie:
How tough was it last week to watch from home? It ends up being a great game for the pass rush, ends up being a great game for the defense as a whole. I know you’ve got to be sitting there chomping at the bit. I don’t know how close you are to coming back, but how tough is it to watch that from afar and what do you do in that situation?
Maxx:
Bro, I’m not going to lie to you. I was probably the most stressed I’ve ever been since I’ve been in the league just sitting there at the crib. As much as I wanted to be there, and AP wanted me to be there at the game – I’m trying to get back on the field ASAP – they thought it was in my best interest and in the team’s best interest for me to rehab and get my feet up and game ready and ice during the game at the crib because I’m a maniac. I’m going to be running up and down the sideline. I can’t help myself. So they’re like, take your ass home, stay at home. So I cleared out everybody, nobody was there besides me and my dog at my crib. So I had my man cave and I was locked in screaming at the TV for four hours.
So it was incredible. We found a way to win, definitely made it a little bit harder than it should have been, but hey, we found a way. And so it was dope. And just seeing it from that perspective, it gave those guys, it was just amazing to see those guys gain that type of confidence. And as a D-line, everybody hears the noise. And a lot of people talk about me when we talk about the D-line, and last year (me and the guys) had a conversation about it. “It’s Maxx Crosby and he’s got a bunch of randoms with him.” And they took offense to that, and we had an open dialogue about it in the D-line room. And if they’re talking about me like that, I would’ve had a problem with it too. I felt like that early in my career.
So I get where they’re coming from. So they stepped up in a big way (and took advantage of that) opportunity. All they’re saying is “Oh Maxx is out, Maxx is out.” If I’m a D lineman, if you’re a real competitor, you’re going to take that personal. And I felt like those guys really did. They know it’s not anything against me. They’re my brothers, they know I got their back, but shit, I want my fucking name mentioned in those conversations. I want my shot too. So it was dope to see those guys step up from Charles Snowden to everybody across the D-line and the defense in general. Everybody was stepping up and hunting the ball and it was just dope to see. I think it’s going to help us as a team moving forward knowing that we can trust in more than just a couple guys. It takes all of us. And that’s what I feel like was the biggest thing I took from the game.
Eddie:
Big sack late, a lot going on that D line and on that defense, a lot to like. I want to talk about you on a personal level. Obviously the sobriety journey in the middle of your career and then your family. Now that you’re growing, how has that maturity and that amount of transformation helped you on the field as well? It seems like it has, even if looking at your body looks different, but you’ve always been known for your motor. It’s just continued to grow and grow and grow. Now, how has that level of transformation and growth in your personal life translated to the field?
Maxx:
It’s everything, man. I think every detail matters. Across the board. And for me, I’m very open about it. What I want to do and what I’m trying to achieve, and I’m in the middle of that and I know I am. And to get to where I want to go and what I want to be, it requires every bit of fiber and energy in my body to be that. And everybody in my circle, and that’s just on the field, off the field, everything’s got to be on point. And for my wife, to my daughter, to literally everybody in my tight-knit circle, they know what I’m chasing. They know what I’m trying to get, and it’s clear as day black and white, and they got to make sacrifices just like I do.
I sacrificed damn near all season, literally all season. I’m not home really. I don’t get to see my daughter every day, as shitty as that is. She’s asleep by the time I get home most of the time. And she understands, and Rachel understands. And we’ve had those hard conversations and I’ve said, listen, we’re not going to have these back and forths and you get mad at me every day. I’m gone. You have to understand what I’m trying to do. And it’s for the bigger picture. Whenever I’m done, whenever that time is, when I’m in my mid thirties or whatever, we can go do whatever, but I’m really trying to build something that’s forever. Iconic. I want all that. And I’m going to do everything in my power to do that. So it requires sacrifice across the board.
And my sobriety is first. If I never got sober, I wouldn’t be here. Literally wouldn’t be here. So I take it real serious. And it’s an everyday process. Every day I wake up, it’s a new challenge, but I look forward to taking on that challenge every day because I know if I wasn’t sober, it would be impossible. So yeah, there’s a lot of people that I give credit to, but I give myself a lot of that credit. Because the end of the day, if I didn’t make that decision, nobody’s going to do nothing for you. At the end of the day, you got your own back more than anybody. And a lot of people don’t talk about that, but it starts with you. You can’t make anybody get sober. You got to get sober yourself, and you got to realize you got a problem. So yeah, I take it real serious, bro. And for me, it’s like I’m going on my fifth year. I couldn’t even imagine when I first got sober. I remember thinking back after the first month, I’m like, I don’t know how the fuck I’m going to do this. I really don’t. I am really not going to be drinking or smoking the rest of my life. I used to think about it that way.
Now it’s like it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. It’s still in me. I know I’m an addict. That doesn’t go away, but I’m addicted to greatness. I want to be the best. I’m addicted to a lot of things. And for me, I know myself more than ever. And so when I wake up in the morning, I could really look at myself in the mirror and know the person I’m looking at. And that’s the biggest flex you can ever have. And for me, that’s what keeps me away from that and also allows me to embrace it and joke about it. Now, I was a mess. I’m open about that and I’m still a work in progress. You can judge me, you can do whatever. But I didn’t give up on myself, and the people close to me didn’t give up on me either. So it’s a dope feeling to have, bro.
Eddie:
I am curious, just from afar, that’s one of those demons you could have battled in private and maybe had the same results. What was it for you that you wanted to not publicize in that sense, but you were so open about it in the public and kind of let people know, “Hey, I’m dealing with this, I’m moving through this” and not preach it, but put it out there because I do think it is inspiring and helpful for other people. So what made you want to choose to do that?
Maxx:
Honestly, it is funny. I really didn’t have any plans to go public with it at first. I had no intention of that. But after my first year being clean, that was probably the hardest year of my life, I’m going to be honest. First year being clean, you’re trying to fill that hole in. I’m eating too much and I’m going into an NFL season straight out of rehab, so I’m overweight. I had 10 sacks as a rookie. I got all these expectations. Covid hit. There’s no fans in the crowd and I’m getting killed every week in the media like, “Oh, he’s not the same.” Just getting killed and I’m playing injured, I’m playing overweight. I took heat, bullets on bullets on bullets. And that year was the hardest year for me, but it also made me, it happened for a reason.
Just like this injury, it’s just a bump in the road, but I know it’s going to make me better and hungrier, and it’s happening for a reason. So after that year, I took all this shit and took it on the chin. I didn’t say nothing. Darren Waller was on the team at the time, and he was public about (his own sobriety), so he was a part of that. But also I was sick of having to make up reasons why I didn’t drink if I’m out with my guys in public and it’s “Oh hey, take a drink.” I was sick of just hiding that part of me. I’m like, if I’m going to do this shit, I’m going to fully embrace it.
That’s who I am today. I don’t give a fuck. That’s what I hated the most is hiding. If I’m going to be sober, I’m going to be clean, I’m going to be open about it. And also I could really help somebody else. And there’s so many people going through that shit and they hide it and hide it and hide it. And then it never allows ’em to be clean for good. Because you can’t live that way hiding that type of baggage.
So being in that room, being around other people that went through it, it gave me the ultimate confidence because I knew I wasn’t the only one going through it. I always thought I was the only one going through it, and I thought I was the only one as messed up as I was. But I’m like, damn there’s a lot of people like me too. So honestly, that’s the other part. Darren was a part of it, but also I wanted to help others and also just share my story. I could inspire others. And I talk about being an icon and stuff like that. You can’t shy away from nothing. You’re going to take bullets. It’s going to be ups and downs. It’s still to this day, bro, it’s not easy. I still go through a lot. You have no idea. The higher you go, the harder they try to bring you back down. And all that happened in my life for a reason. And it continues to happen because God’s going to give his toughest task to his strongest soldiers. And I believe I’m one of ’em. So that’s just really what it is.
Eddie:
Yeah, man, look, you’re making it work, man. You’re having your success on the field and obviously you’re putting your life together off the field as well. But I think that all adds up to you having these opportunities now. You’re one of the faces of the league, you’re the face of one of the most important teams in the league. And now look, you’re dealing with all that and your underwear model now. How did this partnership with Saxx come about and how did they talk you into that one man? An underwear model? That’s bold. What’s going on there?
Maxx:
I’m going to always be myself. And at the end of the day comfort is everything. So that was the first thing, super comfortable. I could work out in ’em. I could wear it on a day-to-day basis. The product was the most important thing out the gate. So that made sense to me. And then on top of it, the vision. For what they’re trying to do. And when they came to me, they were very honest, very straightforward. Hey, we want to be a part of what you’re doing. I know you got your podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby. We want to help you out. Help you out with NIL deals with Eastern Michigan, my old school, my alma mater. They were straightforward about everything. So I’m like, it’s a no brainer to me. It’s a no-brainer across the board. And they got the double X like me, and I sack the quarterback. You got the double X. It just made too much sense. And the people, it’s all about people. It’s about the product and people and they’re great people and the product is great as well. So yeah, it was a no-brainer for me.
Eddie:
Look, it’s complex. So I can’t let you go without asking about music. What you listening to right now, man? Because you’re one of them guys who, you’re from Michigan. I love Detroit music. I loved all that Michigan music. You’re one of the first dudes I seen football was listening to some of them dudes. I feel like you were on Babyface Ray way back when on IG Live and stuff. So what you listening to right now? I’m curious.
Maxx:
I’m glad you brought that up. Music is my life, bro. Deadass. I’m listening to music all day, every day. I’m always on the newest, whoever, underground, popular, whatever it is. I’m honest. So like you said, Babyface Ray, I’ve been rocking with him for years, bro. We’re cool now. We chop it up from time to time. But I love his music. Veeze as well. There’s a lot of Detroit rappers out there that are killing it. But if you know me on a daily basis – and my teammates say the same shit – I’m playing Future 98% of the time. I’m deadass. I will listen to Future, every album, this dude hasn’t missed in years. I’ve had the opportunity to be around his people. And just recently he had a show out here in Vegas and I was with his brother, his artist with him, a bunch, all his people. And I got him a jersey and shit. And just being around that energy, it was so dope. And the way they carry themselves is even better than I expected. So now I have even more of a respect for the music and understanding because it’s all his original people from day one, they’ve been with him for 15 years. And Young Scooter, I was with Young Scooter and Chris Brown was with us chilling. And just the respect level was crazy. It was real cool just being around him. I’m listening to Future all day every day, bro. Literally every album top to bottom, he doesn’t miss bro. He’s the GOAT to me.
Eddie:
That’s a hell of a Vegas night, my friend.
Maxx:
Legendary, bro. Legendary.
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