Maxx Crosby reflected on his former coach Jon Gruden’s emotional condition following Gruden’s departure from the Oakland Raiders. Crosby, who was drafted by the Raiders in 2019 during Gruden’s second tenure as head coach, described the intense and raw emotions Gruden experienced after his exit. The move came after Gruden resigned in 2021 amid controversy over emails containing racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language that surfaced publicly.
These emails, sent to Washington general manager Bruce Allen between 2018 and 2019, also referenced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Crosby spoke about the moment he first saw Gruden after the scandal broke during an appearance on Johnny Manziel’s Glory Daze YouTube show.
“I went to Gruden’s house right after it happened,” Crosby said on Thursday (0:02). “He was just sitting in his living room. He was just sitting in the corner like the godfather, and he couldn’t even look me in the eyes, he was f***ed up and he was tearing up.” —Maxx Crosby
Gruden’s Apologies and Crosby’s Support for His Former Coach
Despite the fallout, Crosby emphasized his continued respect and affection for Gruden, who repeatedly apologized during their conversation. Crosby urged him to stop apologizing and voiced his gratitude, highlighting that Gruden had given him an opportunity when others had not.
“I was like coach stop f***ing apologizing, I love you to death, like you’re the one that gave me a shot when nobody else did,” Crosby said. “The guy is still after all this s**t, I still love him and he’s like ‘I’ll be back, I’ll be back.’” —Maxx Crosby
Crosby noted that despite the challenges, Gruden’s passion for football remains unchanged.
“The dude is addicted to football, that’s all he does and I think he will get another opportunity whether it’s college or being a head coach somewhere or coming back to the league and doing it at some point,” Crosby said (05:14). —Maxx Crosby
Gruden’s Recent Activities and Involvement in Football
Since stepping down as Raiders head coach, Jon Gruden has remained connected to football. In 2023, he was invited to participate in offseason meetings with the New Orleans Saints but did not take a full-time coaching role. More recently, in March 2024, he served as an advisor for the Milano Seamen in the European League of Football, demonstrating his continued involvement in the sport despite the setback in his NFL career.
Jon Gruden’s Role With the Baltimore Ravens
Although some still grapple with Gruden’s past controversies, the Baltimore Ravens have welcomed his expertise. During Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in June 2024, Gruden assisted head coach John Harbaugh by studying the team and offering detailed insights on how opponents might attack their defense, as well as spotting individual player tendencies.
“He studied us,” Harbaugh said on June 6, via baltimoreravens.com. “Basically, the message was, ‘If I was game planning against you on defense, what would I do, how would I attack you?’ He didn’t just stop there. He watched our offensive guys. He had something for each player. Very, very detailed.” —John Harbaugh
The Ravens, who have secured the AFC North title for two consecutive seasons and reached the playoffs each of the past three years, benefited from Gruden’s thorough approach during these sessions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Jon Gruden in Football
Maxx Crosby’s reflections highlight the complex emotions surrounding Gruden’s departure while underscoring his dedication to the game. Gruden’s recent advisory roles and participation in NFL team activities suggest he is poised to return in some capacity, whether in college football or the NFL. His ongoing passion for the sport and support from figures like Crosby indicate that Gruden’s football journey is far from over.