Maxx Crosby talks Gardner Minshew, Raider Nation, and more with SB Nation

The Las Vegas Raiders’ pass rusher sat down with us to talk about Eastern Michigan, Antonio Pierce, and much more.

Maxx Crosby is one of the most relentless and skilled pass rushers in the NFL today. Not only is he devastating to go up against for four quarters, he’ll rarely leave the field. The three-time Pro Bowler has played 1,000 snaps in consecutive seasons, leading the league’s defensive linemen both years, and his 27 sacks over the last two years are tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. I sat down with the Raiders star to discuss what it means to be a Raider, his relationship with Antonio Pierce, and a new partnership that is helping provide college students with NIL money.

JB: So tell me about the partnership with Saxx.

MC: Yeah man it was a no-brainer across the board. First off, the two [letter] Xs in “Saxx” — I sack the quarterback for a living. The people there are incredible and they believed in my vision and want to be part of everything I’ve got going on from my podcast to business to the NIL at Eastern Michigan. They’ve been incredible and it was a no-brainer.

JB: What different NIL opportunities are you doing and giving to college athletes?

MC: Yeah, they’re going to be signing some players to some deals and getting some guys some money. Which for me, I always want to give back to my school. I’ve been very public with my love for Eastern Michigan University and the football program and I want to help those guys out in any way I can to give back, and Saxx wanted to do the same. So it’ll be cool to help out and put a little money in their pockets.

JB: You made a $1 million donation to the football program. You are a very loud and proud Eastern Michigan alum. Can you put into words what the school means to you?

MC: The school has been a huge part of my career. Coach Creighton, Scott Wetherbee, everybody involved in the program - they were the only team to give me a shot. They were the only team in college football to give me a scholarship offer. They believed in me when nobody else did and they’ve been so supportive. My head coach [from EMU] comes to the Pro Bowl with his son who’s wearing my jersey. They support me in everything I do, no matter what it is, and the love is mutual. I’ve obviously donated a lot of money, but also my time. I spend a lot of time at Eastern Michigan every offseason talking to the team, helping the kids out. Now we’re doing NIL deals - just trying to do as much as I possibly can and give back as much as I possibly can.

JB: You’ve been with the Raiders organization through a lot of highs and lows. What does it mean to you to be a Raider, and what made you stick with the organization when you could have gone elsewhere?

MC: Being a Raider is just being 100 percent yourself. Being a Raider isn’t like being everyone else. It’s speaking how you feel, living how you feel, and doing what’s necessary to get the job done. That’s how I live my life. When I got drafted I immediately was like ‘this is exactly what I represent.’ I’m a little bit different, I’m a little bit out there. I’m not afraid to be myself, and the organization fully embraced that and I loved that. That’s who I am as a person and that’s who I am as a leader. And it was a seamless transition becoming part of Raider Nation, and now spearheading it.

JB: There was a clip that went viral during the game in Week 2 when you were facing the Ravens. Gardner Minshew threw an interception and then you stopped him on the way out and gave him what looked like a pretty good pep talk before you dapped him up and ran onto the field. What did you say to Garnder?

MC: *Laughs* All the details are kind of between [me and Minshew], but I just wanted to give him some words of encouragement. Remind him who he is, why he’s here, and just bring that Gardner Minshew out. That’s what that moment was. He’s our quarterback, I believe in him, and I just wanted to show him like ‘Hey, we got your back.’ One bad play is one bad play, but don’t let it be a trickle-down effect, don’t let it become an avalanche. That’s what that was, and he responded and did an incredible job. Being a leader and being in my position, however I can help the team win, I’m going to do that. But he deserves the credit for that, he played well after that and helped lead us to a win.

JB: You were very vocal in your support of Antonio Pierce and advocated for him to get named the permanent head coach. What made you so confident in him that you gave your seal of approval for him to be the head coach of the Raiders?

MC: For me, initially, it was about stability. I’ve had so many damn coaches in the five years I’ve been here. And it’s been crazy, but for me it comes down to wanting to win, and I want to win here. AP is someone I believe in. He brought the right energy and culture, and I believe he can help us win football games. And I was very vocal about that. I may have gotten some heat for it and some people may have been upset, but I was just speaking from my heart and we’re excited that he’s here and excited to keep moving forward.

JB: You and your wife welcomed a daughter in 2022. How has that changed your life both on and off the field?

MC: Being a father is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. My daughter is my world. When I thought I didn’t need anymore motivation or reason or excuse to get up in the morning — I was already a very motivated person — but she just made it make even more sense. And my wife, that’s my partner in crime. We’ve been through a lot together and she’s always been my number one supporter. But having my daughter, I can’t even explain it. Like you think you know what love is, or that you love something. But my daughter is my everything. She’s a little ball of energy and being able to give her everything I can is the best thing on the planet.

JB: Maxx, I appreciate the time, man. Good luck this season.

MC: I appreciate it brother, take care.

Saxx will offer a 15-percent off deal every time Maxx Crosby records a sack this season. In addition, Saxx made a $1,000 donation to the Maxx Crosby Foundation.