Maxx Crosby has already earned the status of a superstar for the Las Vegas Raiders. From a fourth-round pick to an elite edge rusher, the defensive end has cemented his place as a formidable player. He even drew parallels to some former legends of the franchise.
However, Crosby found himself on the receiving end of some unexpected banter from LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. The encounter, recounted by Crosby on his podcast “The Rush,” shed light on a humorous but surreal moment between two sports icons. James made eye contact with him and jokingly cautioned against calling him a derogatory term.
“He’s like kind of, you know, bending over, catching his breath. He peeks to his left and just makes awkward eye contact, and I just kept looking at him. And he’s like, ‘Better not call me a little ass boy.’ I started laughing. … I was in shock. Like, LeBron James just spoke to me. I couldn’t believe it, but at the same time, I think he knows exactly. That’s crazy,” Crosby said.
Crosby is known for his fiery competitiveness and unapologetic trash-talking, particularly aimed at rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. However, James was referencing Crosby’s infamous taunt directed at Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Maxx Crosby responds to carrying on the legacy of Raider greats
Following the departure of Josh McDaniels, the Raiders underwent a significant transformation by appointing Antonio Pierce as their new head coach. This decision fulfilled a wish expressed by Maxx Crosby, who is expected to fully blossom in the upcoming season.
Crosby recently received high praise from Hall-of-Fame pass rusher Howie Long. Long’s commendation likened Crosby’s skills to those of iconic Raiders players from the past, including the legendary Lyle Alzado. In response, Crosby expressed deep humility and gratitude, acknowledging the influence of past Raiders greats on his own career.
“It’s super honoring. It’s humbling, to say the least. Those guys, I mean that’s who I look up to. At the end of the day, those dudes changed the game. They were pioneers in this organization,” he said per SI.com.
Beyond Long and Alzado, the Raiders DE also cited other Raider legends such as Ted Hendricks, Charles Woodson, and George Atkinson as sources of inspiration. He highlighted his ongoing efforts to learn from their experiences and contributions to the sport, mentioning the importance of honoring Raider heritage.
