“When I was a little kid, I was listening to all types of hip-hop and R&B. Music was always being played in my house, no matter who it was. It goes hand-in-hand with everything.”
That was Maxx Crosby back in 2019, expressing his deep love for music. The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end has frequently showcased his admiration for rapper Future, even calling him the “GOAT” in 2024. But now, Crosby’s appreciation for another artist—Post Malone—is making waves.

Taking to Instagram, Crosby shared special moments with the chart-topping singer and songwriter. Alongside a series of photos with Malone, he posted a touching four-word message:
“Proud of you, brother.” He added emojis and tagged Malone’s account, @postmalone. In a separate story, Crosby featured Malone’s hit “Go Flex” and described him as “Iconic.” The full caption on Crosby’s post read, “Panthers & Mustangs Can Get Along On Occasion…Proud Of You Brother,” accompanied by a black heart and eagle emoji.

The caption likely plays on their backgrounds: Malone hails from Texas—where mustangs, the wild horses, are symbolic. Crosby is from Michigan but went to high school at Colleyville Heritage in Texas, which has panthers as its sports team mascots. The playful nod reflects their bond and mutual respect.

Just days ago, Crosby appeared on NFL DT Johnathan Hankins’ YouTube channel, Big Time Hank, where he discussed his early connection with Post Malone. “Post went to our rival high school. So, all his mutual friends were like friends of my friends. He was just like one of us,” Crosby recalled. “He helped with beats on the second mixtape we dropped. He used to make a lot of beats—and back then, he was really rapping, like hardcore.”

The two weren’t just fans of music; they were collaborators. Though Crosby ultimately pursued football and Malone found fame in music, their early creative connection remains meaningful. Crosby’s recent public support reflects that shared journey.

Maxx Crosby’s big off-field win: Becoming NCAA Assistant GM

Beyond his NFL success, Crosby recently made headlines for a historic off-field milestone. On April 14, 2025, his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, announced Crosby as the school’s Assistant General Manager—making him the first active NFL player to take on such a role in college athletics.

In his new capacity, Crosby will focus on fundraising initiatives, managing the school’s NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) budget, and evaluating both high school and transfer portal prospects. He also plans to mentor and develop players on and off the field. “There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University,” the two-time All-Pro defensive end said in the official press release.

Crosby also revealed that he and his wife, Rachel, would be making another philanthropic donation to support student-athletes at EMU. “It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of EMU,” Crosby stated, “but together with my wife Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes to be impacted by the EMU program, community, students, and alumni.”

His passion for his alma mater is well-documented. From 2015 to 2018, Crosby dominated at EMU, recording 20 career sacks and 41 tackles for loss. After graduating from Eastern Michigan, Crosby was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Raiders. Since then, he has become one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers, racking up 59.5 sacks over six seasons.

His commitment was rewarded in 2022 with a three-year, $98.98 million extension, which was later restructured and extended again in 2024. His current deal totals $106.5 million, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season. Through it all, Crosby hasn’t lost touch with his roots—or his love for music. Whether through his WWE escapades or reconnecting with old friends like Post Malone, Crosby continues to make headlines both on and off the field.