In the history of professional sports, there have been a lot of times where an athlete has gotten so gassed up — so high on their own supply of fame — that they thought their talents could translate to the music industry.
That overconfidence has given us some incredible moments in terms of comedy, and Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby — who came perilously close to becoming a member of the Baltimore Ravens this offseason — just became the latest and greatest example.
Crosby dropped his solo rap debut online early Friday morning with the song “Plaqueboy Maxx/PLAQUEBOYMAXX” — depending on where you got it from — and the results were likely not what he intended.
Coming at listeners with a droll, monotone delivery covered with autotune on the chorus, it’s hard to understand what Crosby is rapping about, although he continues to refer to something being “back to back” over and over, along with references to NBA players Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin, rapper Travis Scott’s alter ego of Cactus Jack, and reality television star Kim Kardashian.
The Ravens traded 2 1st-round picks for Crosby, a 2-time NFL All-Pro, in March, but backed out of the deal after he came to Baltimore and failed his physical.
To say Ravens fans were unkind to his debut would be an understatement.
Ravens Light Crosby Up for Rap Debut
Let’s hope Crosby has a good sense of humor — not likely — after getting lambasted for his attempt at a music career.
“I now completely understand why the Baltimore Ravens pulled out of the Maxx Crosby trade,” Ravens reporter Nic Mason wrote on his official X account.
“Ravens heard the demo and had to make some changes,” Diamond NFL wrote on its official X account.
“I want to say CTE but you may just be retarded,” X user Dillster Dog wrote on their official X account.
“Holy cringe,” Ravens fan Mitchell wrote on their official X account. “Thank God you’re not a Raven.”
“Fernando Mendoza is somehow not the corniest dude on the Raiders,” X user Nic wrote.
“Everyone pretending to hate this are going to be playing this with their windows rolled up tomorrow,” Dr. Jamie Jakes wrote on his official X account.
Crosby’s Aborted Blockbuster Trade Shook Up NFL
The Ravens and Raiders agreed to the trade for Crosby on a Friday night, sending their 2026 and 2027 1st round picks to the Raiders in exchange for Crosby, who signed a 3-year, $106.5 million contract extension before the 2025 season. By Tuesday, the deal was off.
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the Raiders said in a statement shared to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s official X account. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
It was the 1st time in the Ravens franchise history that 1st-round picks had been given up in a trade. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, it was a medical issue that held up the trade.
“Maxx Crosby had surgery to repair his meniscus right around the end of the season, and meniscus recoveries take 3-4 months,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said after the news broke. ” … it appears the Ravens are just not comfortable with what they found during the medical exams for Maxx Crosby, so now the trade is off.”
Ravens Fans Respond to Maxx Crosby’s ‘Cringe’ Rap Debut