There’s a history of NFL players taking up side roles to add to their legacy and depth. Look at Hawks guard Trae Young, working on a basketball program at Oklahoma. Warriors’ Stephen Curry is the assistant GM for Davidson. Terance Mann, another Hawks guard who’s been hired by the Florida State basketball team. And now, another veteran joins the fray with them. The defensive dominator for the Raiders – Maxx Crosby.
Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5M contract extension with the Raiders in March. He has been looking for more ways to contribute to the NFL, both on and off the field. Just a few weeks ago, he announced an invitation to the best edge rushers in college football to join Eastern Michigan. He’s all-in, trying to coach and guide young players into becoming the best they can be. “I will personally mentor and develop you into the best player you can,” he said in a post on X. But that’s not all. Eastern Michigan, in honor of Crosby’s meteoric rise from their depths, has renamed their weakside defensive end position to “The MAXX”. The best player in this position will get an award and have the rare chance to witness a Raiders game. But is that all he has to offer? No sir!
In a recent update, Maxx Crosby has taken up the position of assistant GM at Eastern Michigan. “There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan.” He means it, and he’s ready to prove it, too. He has wasted no time at all in making his presence felt with the young athletes of the football team. Additionally, in the words of HC Ben Needham himself, they are “Fortunate to have this guy”. In a post shared on X by team Needham, Crosby is engaged in a video meeting with the DL, clearly dropping golden wisdom and experience nuggets for the team to collect. The caption of Needham’s post reads, “DL getting some wisdom & some from the @CrosbyMaxx ! Fortunate to have this guy as our Assistant GM and a constant mentor & advisor to @EMUFB ! 4 = 1 More Is Required #ETOUGH”
DL getting some wisdom & some from the @CrosbyMaxx !
Fortunate to have this guy as our Assistant GM and a constant mentor & advisor to @EMUFB !
4 = 1
More Is Required#ETOUGH pic.twitter.com/O5xOaCfS0U
— Ben Needham (@CoachBenNeedham) April 19, 2025
Crosby himself has reposted this with the words, “#ETOUGH”. The GOAT is here, and he’s gonna turn the players into shining diamonds. Crosby rose to fame from this very place, and Eastern Michigan is literally tattooed on his arm. Additionally, in the words of Scott Wetherbee – Eastern Michigan Athletic Director – “Maxx is somebody who wants to leave a legacy here and wants to give back to our student-athletes.” These words are a testament to his legacy, and his constant strive to inspire and give back and make a mark.
Maxx Crosby – growth driver and inspiration
Maxx Crosby joining his alma mater as a GM wasn’t just a fluke. It was a calculated move by Scott Wetherbee. As per an NBC report, Wetherbee said, “[I]t was very intentional to do it around our spring game, do it around the portal opening and also having the opportunity to be the first to have an active NFL player – it’s just us trying to be forward thinking in how do we put Eastern Michigan and Eastern Michigan football in the best light and do everything we can to keep us moving forward.” And Crosby? He’s all for it and leading the change that Wetherbee wants to see in Michigan.
“The most important thing for me with Eastern Michigan is helping us get a MAC Championship. I’ve been heavily involved with the organization and the whole football team since I got in the league, and I feel like I’ve had a responsibility. I’ve been doing things behind the scenes for a while, but now having the opportunity to have a bigger voice, a real title, and getting us to that next step is truly all that matters to me.” Now here’s a guy who’s ready to lead by example and inspire everyone around him.
Speaking of inspiring people, the Michigan team isn’t alone in being driven to greatness by Crosby. In an exclusive report by Heavy Sports, Broncos RB Ashton Jeanty has spoken about Crosby as well, “His game, his tape speaks for itself – He’s an amazing player. He just got that bag secure. – great person. Obviously, he’s tapped into the college world. It’s been a good relationship to have.” If you think that’s all, think again. Following Crosby’s footsteps, Travis Kelce has also set out to connect with his roots – the University of Cincinnati. “I am doing something with Cincinnati. We’re still figuring out what that role is. I kinda wanted to be in charge of team spirit – All I wanna do is: how can we make the experience better on game day? I don’t wanna be the mascot, I wanna give resources to the student section and just have a f—— fun-ass time”
All in all, Maxx Crosby is living up to his GOAT title. Whether it’s chats and on-field practices with Eastern Michigan, or simply by existing and inspiring others around him. Moreover, this guy defines leading by example, and we can hardly wait to see what more he has in store for us in the future.
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