"That whole situation was probably one of the most unique, crazy, wild, up-and-down roller coasters I’ve ever been a part of,” he said
Credit: Ian Maule/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- On his podcast, Maxx Crosby recalled how his trade to the Baltimore Ravens fell apart.
- The athlete said he got a weird feeling when he arrived for his physical with the Ravens, which made him feel “terrified”
- He said they backed out of the deal after they saw the results from his physical
Maxx Crosby is opening up about his failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end, 28, was ready for a new start with the Ravens after the two teams mutually agreed to a trade, but the deal fell apart a few days later, Crosby details on the Tuesday, March 17 episode of his podcast, The Rush With Maxx Crosby.
“I’ve gone through some s— in my life, I can’t lie, but that whole situation was probably one of the most unique, crazy, wild, up-and-down roller coasters I’ve ever been a part of,” he said.
Crosby, who had surgery on his knee in January to repair a torn meniscus, flew out to Baltimore on March 10 for a physical for the Ravens to evaluate his recovery and determine if he was fit enough to join the team.
Credit: Brooke Sutton/Getty
When he arrived for his physical, he said he got a weird feeling right away, Crosby said. The five-time pro bowler claims he didn't get to meet with Ravens head coach Jesse Minter or the team's general manager Eric DeCosta until after his physical was completed.
He recalled asking, “'Where’s Eric?' ”
“You know what I mean? He just made the trade. I didn’t see him for five hours," he said.
When Crosby finally met with Minter, he said he noticed that the "energy was off" because the coach “had a blank face." However, he still tried to be optimistic.
“I’m like, ‘Okay.’ I’m not thinking anything of it. Maybe he’s just different. I don’t know him, whatever,” Crosby said.
The day continued to go downhill when Crosby learned that a team doctor on the Ravens had “concerns” about the athlete's health and “future.” It was then that he was told the team would get back to him with their decision because they needed more advice on the matter, which made Crosby "terrified."
When he got back to his hotel, Crosby said he called his surgeon Neal ElAttrache, whom he called "the best f—ing surgeon in the country," and was told not to worry about the trade.
“[ElAttrache] calmed me way down. He’s like 'Maxx, don’t listen to any of that s—,' ” Crosby said. “He’s like, ‘Your knee is great. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be or even ahead of schedule.’ He’s like, ‘You’re doing everything right. They know you had your surgery nine weeks ago.’ "
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“He’s showing me the actual literal literature of, like, ‘This is where the knee is supposed to be at from a meniscus repair. MRIs could be misleading because it’s still fresh in surgery and this and that.’ He’s like, ‘Listen, you’re doing everything right. Everything’s going well. We’re going to keep sticking to the plan.’ He’s like, ‘You will be back by training camp.’ ”
But just when Crosby got his hopes up, he received a call from his agent, CJ LaBoy, who told him that the Ravens backed out of the deal.
“I’m frozen. I’m like, ‘What the f—,' ” he said. “I’m f—ing livid, confused, the whole nine all in one."
Crosby said that the whole situation made him realize that he was never meant to play for the Ravens.
“I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore and that’s it," he said. "You know what I mean? I’m meant to be a Raider. It’s through my damn core. That’s it."
"I’m in this s— for life. Until that changes — which I don’t foresee. Honestly, you never know in this damn league. I found that out for sure. I just feel like I’m meant to be a Raider," he added.
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