Maxx Crosby just dropped a surprise that no one saw coming! Hours after posing with Donald Trump, Raiders star defensive end took to social media in a bold show of his admiration for legend Kobe Bryant. 

Posting a picture on X in an all-black fit with football cleats in hand, Crosby donned a t-shirt honoring the late Lakers’ legend, captioned simply: “8/24.” For Crosby, this wasn’t just about fashion—it was a tribute to the Mamba himself. But the timing couldn’t have been more interesting, especially after his earlier Trump collab.

Earlier in the day, Crosby was front and center in a photo with Trump, alongside teammates Gardner Minshew and Alex Bachman. Snapped in a swanky Las Vegas setting, the picture spread like wildfire after The Daily Caller’s Henry Rodgers shared it on X. The Raiders’ defensive end made no secret of his admiration for Trump. Back in July, after an assassination attempt on the 78-year-old, he even called him the GOAT. 

But Crosby’s ‘Kobe Bryant’ tribute threw everyone for a loop. Why? Because Bryant wasn’t exactly a fan of Trump. In 2016, when an interviewer asked if he’d swing by Trump’s White House, the Mamba didn’t mince words: “I wouldn’t go. Simple. I think it’s a whole matter of respect and standing up for what you believe in. You can agree or disagree and that’s completely fine. I think that’s the beauty of the country being able to speak up for what you believe in, to be able to voice that opinion. I believe all thoughts should be valued, so I wouldn’t go.” This stark contrast to Trump’s politics makes Maxx Crosby’s choice of shirt quite a statement, especially given the backdrop of his recent meeting with the former president.

Meanwhile, Trump was in Nevada campaigning and promoting his ‘no tax on tips’ policy. He took the chance to shout out his new ally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling him “a great guy, respected by everybody.” The 78-year-old’s appearance in Vegas is no shocker—his Trump International Hotel’s been a towering presence since 2008. So, what’s the real play here: Is Crosby just paying tribute to a hoops legend, or is he dropping hints about balancing his fandom with his own beliefs? As the Raiders get ready to face off against the Chargers on September 8, Crosby’s making waves off-field just as much as he does on it.

Whether he’s repping a Lakers icon or backing a polarizing figure, Crosby ain’t shy about making bold moves. As the dust settles, Maxx Crosby’s actions add a new twist to the ongoing saga of sports, politics, and personal beliefs. And, fun fact—did you know Trump once saved Bryant from a potential beatdown in an elevator? 

An elevator showdown with Kobe Bryant and Donald Trump

Picture this: a 19-year-old Kobe Bryant, bursting onto the NBA scene with bravado that wasn’t just for the court. One day, it overflowed into a packed elevator with Jayson Williams, Charles Oakley, and—believe it or not—Donald Trump.

This showdown went down at the Grand Hyatt. Bryant, with that infamous confidence, said something that rubbed Williams the wrong way. Now, Williams wasn’t about that disrespect. A veteran with an old-school mindset, he was ready to teach the young player a lesson right then and there. Tension was sky-high, fists were ready to fly—and then Trump, of all people, stepped in. Yep, the same Trump who went on to be the 45th President. Not who you’d peg as a peacemaker, but he squashed the beef before it got ugly.

Jeff Pearlman spilled the tea on The Ryen Russillo podcast, saying, “Donald Trump, of all people, broke up a fight or got in the middle of a fight between Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams.” 

Bryant’s story was always more than basketball. He wasn’t just about dropping buckets; he was about facing everything—on and off-court—with the same relentless passion. From game-winners to elevator dust-ups, Kobe Bryant was always the Mamba, through and through.