While Maxx Crosby is improving on the field, he is also doing so off the field.
In a recent interview by ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez, Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby spoke personally. The young defensive end said how alcoholism runs in his family and how he has also had to battle it in his first two NFL seasons.
“Alcoholism runs in my family and I’m an alcoholic. So, for me, I knew it was something that was always a crutch. I always knew I had a problem. I knew I couldn’t just drink like everybody else. I got ahead of it. My first year of sobriety is always the hardest and that was last year. I had a lot of ups and downs. Mentally it was really tough for me. But going in, I’m almost a year-and-a-half sober now and life is great. I’m really enjoying every single day. I’m enjoying the work.” via – ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez
While Crosby was also battling many injuries on the field in 2020, Maxx’s sobriety was clearly challenged as well. As a young athlete in Las Vegas, one could imagine the temptations in Sin City were great. Yet, the Texas native kept his head held high and showed that he is ready to tackle the future with a better mindset despite life’s challenges.
Crosby has a new outlook on life after rehab and AA…
Maxx Crosby has done a complete 360 in life. Although he feels personal improvement in more ways than one, he hopes to be a living example to others.
“I’m living my real purpose and helping people out. The whole basis of AA is literally you can’t do it alone. I love being able to talk about it and share my story with other people and try to help other people out there going through what I’ve gone through. ” Crosby also said, “This offseason has been incredible. I’ve never been in this good a shape in my life. I’ve never been this dedicated. I’ve always been a hard worker as far as work ethic. I’ve taken it to a whole different level.” via -ESPN.com
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As Crosby enters his third NFL season, he has a renewed sense of clarity that can only help him move forward. He accumulated 17 sacks in his first two NFL seasons while overcoming injuries, rehab, and sobriety. With the latter two scenarios out of the equation, one can imagine where he goes both on the football field and life from here.
*Top Photo: Courtesy of Official Raiders Website