Tyree Wilson knows he’s got a perfect mentor to start his career on the right foot. He knows that, if he wants to learn how to be a pro, there’s no one better than Maxx Crosby to show him the way.
Wilson is currently rehabbing from a foot injury, so he isn’t yet in OTA’s, but Crosby has seen plenty of tape on his new top pick rookie teammate, and anticipates the day they will take the field together.
“Just from his physical gifts alone, he could be a great player. It’s about the work you put in once you get in the league,” Crosby said of Wilson. “You could have tools, you could have every bit of the talent, that’s the NFL, everybody’s talented. It’s what you do when you get in the building.”
No one puts in the work Maxx Crosby does in practice. Since the moment he first took the field, he was consistently outworking everyone.
While some players find value in leading a balanced life, Crosby doesn’t subscribe to that. And it has worked for him.
“Obviously my wife and family, that’s huge, but I’m on a mission. I got one goal; I want to be the best at what I do,” Crosby continued. “I got many big goals that I want to achieve and it takes more than being 50%, it takes all my attention all year round. . . it’s non-stop, but that’s what it takes to be great. That’s what I’m doing every single day, so there’s no real balance. At the end of the day, i’m on a mission until I stop playing football.”
Crosby said he has always dreamed of being in the position he is right now. To be as respected as he is and to have young players eager for him to impart his advice on them. Something he wishes he had as a rookie.
You simply won’t find a better leader by example than Crosby. And with that he has a message for the new young guys.
“When the rookies came in I told them ‘follow me every single day. You want to continue building your career? Follow me. I’m going to do it the right way,” Crosby added. “I’m going to keep showing up, I’m going to do it every single day. And that’s what it’s really about.”
On a line that has eight players with one or no experience at the NFL level, Crosby work ethic and enthusiasm to be a mentor is immensely valuable.
