Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was asked recently if he thought being an athlete made it harder to share his journey.
Crosby’s answer on the “Ball in the Family” podcast lasted more than five minutes, as he explained how opening up about his journey to sobriety helped him. And doing so also changed his relationship with Raiders fans.
Crosby had finished his rookie season in Oakland with 10 sacks and was the runner-up for the Associated Press’ Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He entered rehab in the offseason in March 2020 and didn’t reveal he had done so until after having played his second season — his first in Las Vegas — and seen his production decrease.
“I got all these expectations, nobody really knows what’s going on,” Crosby said. “So I’m going through that alone. And then I go into the season. I don’t perform the way I did my rookie year.
“It wasn’t like I was terrible, but I wasn’t who I was. I’m overweight. I’m eating my feelings away just trying to stay afloat, stay clean and do my (expletive). And so I’m taking all this heat from the fans and all this (expletive), and they don’t really know what’s going on and the battles I went through.”
In March 2021, Crosby shared his sobriety story on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast with former Raiders teammate Will Compton. He explained on the “Ball in the Family” podcast that speaking out on the topic was an opportunity for him to use his platform to give back to others, and it also put his difficult 2020 season in proper context.
“I was playing with a torn labrum, playing with a broken hand, trying to stay sober, no fans in the crowd (because of COVID-19). I’m getting murdered by own fan base. And I still didn’t pick up a drink or smoke or none of that,” Crosby recalled. “And that was like the biggest year that changed my life because I know a lot of people would have (expletive) folded. And I was at my lowest of lows, bro. Like my confidence, my everything. But I stayed to it, and I got those surgeries, went back to Vegas.”
Crosby said that being open and transparent about where he was in life helped him, as later in the 2021 season he earned his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections.
“Just letting go and just being myself to the fans, to the world, that’s (expletive) hard,” Crosby said. “It’s not easy at all. But ultimately it’s the best decision I’ve made, and I’ve never looked back.
“I’m still growing. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes I want to snap on a (expletive) fan sometimes, like, ‘(Expletive) you. You don’t know what you’re talking about.’ That’s still me. But I’m constantly working on myself and trying to evolve across the board.”
Crosby this offseason said he was moved to tears by messages he received from Raiders fans following news of the trade agreement to send him to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens would back out of the trade, but not before Crosby had expressed his appreciation for the fans.
“Every time I get in the weight room, every time I step in front of the fans, I’ve given my whole life to be the best version of myself for you guys,” Crosby said in February. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without the fans, because I know y’all work your (expletive) off to buy tickets and to support me. …
“I think about y’all every time I’m out there. I want to put on a show for you guys.”
