In the first five years of his career, Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby has emerged not only as one of the league’s most potent defenders, but also as an inspiration to fans across the country.
Crosby has been frank about his struggles with alcoholism, for which he checked into rehab in the spring of 2020. Playing with a renewed purpose, he went on to reach the Pro Bowl in 2021 and ’22.
On Thursday, he discussed his past struggles and outlook toward the future with in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
“Easily the biggest thing is overcoming addiction,” Crosby said when asked about the biggest hurdle he’d had to overcome in his professional career. “I’ve been sober for over three years now.”
Crosby noted that the realization that he wasn’t fighting alone helped him as he embraced sobriety.
“What hit home for me is that you’re not the only one,” Crosby said. “I got over myself and just realized I’m not the only person on Earth going through this s---. There’s people going through far worse.”
#ad We teamed up with @vicblends and @Google to give @CrosbyMaxx a clean cut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2tBN2pHvtI
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 14, 2023
He also told SI about his chest tattoo of his young daughter, who will turn one in October.
“(My tattoo) means a lot. I obviously got my daughter on my chest,” Crosby said. “I’m a very visual person and I like to work for it on a daily basis. I just don’t talk about it. I chase relentlessly.”
