Crosby: 'I Felt Like I Was Born to be a Raider'

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is rising among the all-time great players to wear the Silver and Black.

The two-time Pro Bowler ranks fifth in franchise history with 51 sacks as he entering his prime. Crosby has a real shot at the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this season, posting career-best numbers.

Crosby embodies what it means to be a Raider: insatiable work ethic, an underdog mentality and an unrelenting toughness. He has good relationships with several Raiders legends as well.

On the most recent episode of his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby, he spoke about what it means to him to be a Raider and his relationship with Raiders greats.

“I felt like I was born to be a Raider,” Crosby said. “It makes perfect sense. I don’t see myself in any other jersey. I just feel like the Raiders are exactly who I am, and I’m meant to be here. I have great relationships with a ton of former players, from Ted Hendricks to Howie Long to Charles Woodson to Phil Villapiano, all those guys, Rich Gannon. I have great relationships with them, but honestly, the No. 1 guy who’s helped me out as far as taking my career to the next level, integrating the fans and making them feel involved, gaining that relationship and respect for the fans, it has to be Charles Woodson.

“Charles Woodson is a great dude. He’s around more than people actually know. He’s always popping up at events. We stay in communication. He’s always told me: ‘Listen, if you get the fans behind you, Raiders fans will always have your back and always show love.’ Coming from Eastern [Michigan], when I first got to Eastern, we had zero fans in the stands. I had more fans at high school games than when I first got to Eastern. We didn’t have that SEC experience, that Big Ten experience when it comes to fan bases, so once I got to the league, I fully embraced myself. I didn’t try to be anybody I’m not.

“I always want to put on a show. I always want to show love to the fans and show respect to everybody who supports us because, for me, I know how special it is when it comes to the fans. If you just give them five seconds, dap up a fan or dap up a kid in the crowd, they’ll remember that forever. So I really take that into consideration because I know how special it is.”

The entire podcast episode can be found here.

The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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