“Never Give Up. Never Surrender” – A Family’s Fight Against the Unthinkable. Maxx Crosby isn’t just a Raider; he’s a revelation. A dude who tackles Derrick Henry one play and chemo realities the next. His story—framed by family, sobriety, and sacks—isn’t just football. It’s a reminder that heroes wear helmets and heartaches.
“My Uncle Is a F—— Soldier. Love You Bro, We Fight No Matter What.” Let that marinate like the opening line of a Ted Lasso pep talk—raw, real, and dripping with grit. The NFL isn’t just a league of touchdowns and trophies; it’s a tapestry of human stories stitched with sweat, sacrifice, and sometimes, seismic heartache. And right now, Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders is weaving a saga that’s equal parts triumph and tenacity.
When Crosby posted that Instagram tribute to his Uncle Marko Ulaj—a warrior battling glioblastoma—it wasn’t just a hashtag. It was a battle cry. Marko’s reel, detailing his grueling new chemo regimen and unshakable resolve, hit harder than anything: “I’m gonna start that this evening. So if I start looking weaker… I have no choice,” Marko said, his voice steady as a goalpost in a storm, and our prayers are with him.
Glioblastoma, the same beast that claimed Crosby’s uncle Tom Pali Ulaj, is dishearteningly back, but the family’s battling it like the warriors they are. Crosby, whose Raiders legacy is built on relentless pursuit (59.5 career sacks, 9 forced fumbles), knows adversity isn’t just a defensive scheme. It’s personal. His foundation, tackling teen substance abuse and animal rescue, mirrors this ethos: “It’s about leaving a legacy and helping people in need.” But this? This is family.
This is gladiator stuff. Marko’s fight—three tumors, no surgery eligibility—echoes Crosby’s own five-year sobriety journey, a path he called “one of the best decisions of my life” after rehab in 2020. Their bond? Thicker than a playbook.
Part II: Milestones & MVPs – Crosby’s silver (and black) linings
Just days before Marko’s update, Crosby hit a personal pinnacle: five years sober. Celebrating with a steering-wheel selfie and a tattoo timestamp (3.11.2020), he reflected on rehab’s brutal early days: “Every day seemed like the longest… I had no phone. Everything was different.” That grind forged a new Maxx—All-Pro, $106.5M contract, and now, Raiders’ emotional core.
His resilience bled into the franchise’s DNA. When Vegas inked Geno Smith to an $85.5M extension, Crosby’s reaction was pure Succession-level hype: “LFG!!!!!!!!!” He doubled down to media: “Geno’s a baller… Let’s go win.” Smith’s stats (7,944 YDS, 41 TDs since 2023) aren’t just numbers—they’re hope for a team craving relevance.
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior go a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
And Crosby? He’s the bridge between Vegas’ gritty past and its Raider Nation future, hosting Make-A-Wish kids and checking on rivals’ injuries mid-game. Yet, the cruelly poetic twist? Crosby’s sobriety milestone and Marko’s fight are parallel journeys. One’s a victory lap; the other, a marathon. Both scream “Rise Up”—a mantra as much for the field as for life’s darkest quarters.
So here’s to Marko, to Crosby, and to the messy, magnificent fight of it all. Because in Vegas, the house doesn’t always win—but the Crosbys? They play every hand like it’s a Super Bowl.
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