We are yet to see wonders from the Las Vegas Raiders since superstar additions such as Tom Brady or Pete Carroll. But in the offseason, the franchise has been doing pretty well in building up a much-anticipated winning Silver and Black team. Most recently, they showed support by believing in their star defensive end, Maxx Crosby, or Max Maxx!

With his blond hair and shine in his eyes, Maxx Crosby joined the NFL in 2019. But he knew he was coming up with a chip on his shoulder, despite being thankful for the Raiders to draft him. And so, having an extremely driven personality, he proved his worth in the league, compelling the franchise to pay him a three-year contract extension worth $106.5 million. But that’s not where his story of celebration ends.

Maxx Crosby is a man of words. This is the reason he achieved another major milestone in his personal life. With little ado, let’s come straight to the DE’s new achievement. But before that, you need to know that Crosby shared several stories on his official Instagram handle, informing the fans about his celebration and the good news – the man has reached five years of sobriety.

Now, that’s big!

On March 11, 2020, Maxx Crosby made a major decision in his life. He went to rehab and became sober. Five years from then, the defensive end calls it one of the best decisions of his life. Sharing a picture of his hand resting on his car’s steering, Crosby wrote, “5 Years Sober. God Is Great.”

His hand also featured a tattoo of the date (3.11.2020), marking the day he started his new journey. Not only that!

In another story, the 27-year-old proudly addressed his sobriety years in a clip from a podcast. He expressed that his sobriety “is bigger than anything” for him. Truly respect Crosby for this. When most people struggle to get over their addiction issues, Max proves the world wrong and becomes an inspiration.

In addition, Maxx Crosby didn’t miss a chance to acknowledge the acknowledgments, as he shared one story with his friend, Brogan Roback. In that update, we could see Roback greeting the DE as he wrote: “5 Years sober for my brother (black heart emoji).”

Indeed, it’s an amazing feat for the man, and you must wonder what his family feels about him right now. It would be better to say that Maxx Crosby is proud of himself for achieving a remarkable feat. And why shouldn’t he?

After all, that road to redemption wasn’t always a bed of roses. So, let us take you back to day 1 from the rehab, about which he said, “I remember the first, like March 11th when I went in there. Every day seemed like the longest day ever. Like I had no phone, I could not, everything was completely different. It slowed down and then when I was living I was like I did my 30 days I am going back home screw this. I am ready to go home. They were like no. Like, you are going to sober living, you are going to stay there until training camp.”

Then what? Maxx Crosby checked himself in and stayed for two and a half months. At first, he thought 30 days would be enough. But the staff told him it wasn’t. Looking back, he knows that time saved him. The first year of sobriety was brutal for him.

Mentally and emotionally, it tested him in ways he never imagined. But he refused to let it hold him back. So, after surgery, he returned to Vegas with a different mindset. He changed everything. A nutritionist, strength staff, the right team around him. The reason? Maxx Crosby didn’t want to be a “good story” about a guy who got clean.

He wanted to be the best, and he backed it up!

He went from being just another guy to an All-Pro in just two years. And he’s still not done. Kudos to you, Crosby! The man will now get enormous support from their new quarterback, Geno Smith.

What does Maxx Crosby feel about Geno Smith?

The Raiders rewarded Maxx Crosby with a substantial contract extension. They made him the highest-paid non-QB in the league (before Myles Garrett’s contract). Then, he wanted a veteran quarterback to come in and lead the team to a pleasant season. The Raiders again listened to him as they came up with Geno Smith.

Now, Smith is not a household name like other famous quarterbacks in the free-agent market. But he is reliable for sure.

In his last two seasons, Smith recorded a 92.7 passer rating with 7,944 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions in 32 games. Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

Well, for Maxx Crosby, it is! That’s why during Tuesday’s episode of The Rush, the 27YO said, “It’s a big deal, bro. I think it helps us immensely. With the draft upcoming, it gives us more flexibility, so there’s a lot of good things that come with that, as well. And he’s a winner. He’s done really well in Seattle… It’s super exciting, bro.”

Maxx Crosby is clearly on board with Geno Smith as the quarterback is moving ahead in the 2025 season – that too under his former coach, Pete Carroll. Hence, it remains to be seen how this team portrays greatness on the field!