Maxx Crosby’s Unexpected Moment at MMA Event

This past weekend, Maxx Crosby found himself in an unusual situation that had even the outspoken Raiders star chuckling. He was at a mixed martial arts event featuring former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, part of streamer Adin Roth’s Brand Risk event, when the conversation turned, well, unexpected—not your ordinary fight night chatter.

During a live Twitch stream, streamer Bendadon directly posed a question that raised eyebrows: “I’m going to address the elephant in the room: People want to know if you’re really black.” It was certainly bold, and Crosby couldn’t help but laugh at the bluntness before responding.

In a moment that many are now calling one of the quirkiest instances of the 2026 NFL offseason, the five-time Pro Bowler replied, “No, it’s not,” addressing the odd inquiry head-on.

Crosby, who hails from Michigan and has ties to Texas, has always been candid about his background, embracing his Serbian and Albanian roots throughout his football career. He’s often shared thoughts about his heritage on social media, so the question, while strange, didn’t throw him off his game.

Despite the viral moment, Crosby seemed relaxed, enjoying the event with friends as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Behind the scenes, though, Crosby is still recovering from a significant knee injury that cut his 2025 season short. After undergoing surgery in January due to a torn meniscus and cartilage issues, he was sidelined for the latter part of the season.

Additionally, he was involved in what some might call the most infamous non-trade in NFL history when the Ravens had initially acquired him but then retracted their offer over medical concerns while he was still at their facility.

As of now, it looks like Crosby will remain with the Raiders, preparing for a new chapter under head coach Clint Kubiak and with the team’s No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza.