“I Know Micah Parsons Does It”: Maxx Crosby Says Boxing Helped Increase His Sack Total From 8 to 12

NFL athletes, the ones who chase greatness, are in a perpetual quest to improve their physical performance to help them do their job more efficiently on the gridiron. And they often find themselves doing things that may be considered unorthodox or unconventional. For Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby, two of the league’s most prominent pass rushers, seeking perfection led them to the boxing ring of all places.

During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Parsons famously stated that boxing helped to improve his sack totals. Yes, we get it. For many, Parsons’ revelation might have sounded strange, or even an exaggeration.

However, according to Crosby, who has also managed to step up his performance over the years, there’s much more truth to the idea than fans may think. “I always loved fighting,” Crosby began during his most recent podcast.

“Being able to box and understand distancing, I think, is the most important thing. But as you take that next step, you get so many pressures, and you’re just so f**king disruptive,” added the Raiders star.

The five-time Pro Bowler explained that, in the early days of his career, after getting drafted by the then Oakland Raiders in 2019, he was often left wondering, “Why can’t I get there?” After Crosby began spending more time in the ring, that quickly changed.

“I just couldn’t get sacks. It’s really about understanding distance and understanding where that quarterback is going to be, so it lines up with how am I going to approach this tackle… There are different matchups… There are so many little things that matter. That’s why I started doing it. I know Micah Parsons does it,” Crosby outlined.

Of course, Crosby has kept his ring time to a minimum. Because even though he’s intimidating in a pair of shoulder pads on Sunday afternoons, he’s also willing to admit that he’s nowhere near the level of an actual professional when it comes to boxing.

“I started sparring actual UFC fighters, boxers, like real professionals,” recalled Crosby.

“That s**t is f**king terrifying, because you don’t know. You could box for two years; they’ve been doing it since they were five years old. So, you think you’re nice, and then you go against them, and you’re just punching the f**king air,” he added.

Crosby also admitted that boxing helped him improve his “sack counts from 8 to 12 in one season.” However, while the production bump is welcome, NFL front office members and coaching staff may not necessarily be in favor of having one of their most valuable assets stepping into the ring to take on professional fighters.

But if the athlete can do so without getting seriously injured, and it ultimately helps him to produce more on game days, then they’ll likely be willing to look the other way. And, if there’s any truth to be found in Crosby’s revelation, recreational boxing could soon see an increase in popularity amongst players at other positions, and not just with pass rushers.