Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby says he plans to attend the UFC fight on the White House South Lawn on June 14, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. He also talked about his UFC pick—Justin Gaethje—plus flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hi
On June 14, Maxx Crosby plans to swap the usual football spotlight for something far rarer: the White House South Lawn.
The Las Vegas Raiders star told Fox News Digital he’s planning to attend the UFC fight there as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. “I’ve never been to the White House,” Crosby said. “I’m excited. I like history…” He added that it’s the chance to be part of a historic event rather than just watch it from afar. “It’s incredible that we all have an opportunity to celebrate our country and just be part of a historic event… we live in the greatest country in the world and it should be celebrated.”.
For Crosby, the appeal isn’t only the landmark itself. He framed it as a reminder of the freedoms and daily choices he believes make the country what it is. “You have an opportunity every day to chase your passion,” Crosby said. “Everyone comes from different backgrounds. but in this country you have a choice every day to chase what you love and what you aspire to do. People don’t say the American Dream for no reason. It’s the greatest country because it’s opportunity. It’s a land of opportunity.”.
He also made his rooting interest clear. Crosby said he loves Justin Gaethje, calling him “one of the greatest fighters to ever do it” and describing him as a friend. “I want to see him go to the White House and do his thing for sure.”
That White House setting. according to Crosby’s retelling of how it began. traces back to a casual moment between Donald Trump and Dana White during a live UFC match. He said Trump leaned over to White and suggested they “do a fight at the White House.” Crosby said White agreed immediately. with logistics then set in motion days later.
Crosby’s praise for UFC leadership came just as quickly as his enthusiasm for the event itself. “Dana White is like family to me. He always does it big, and he always does it the biggest and best way. He’s always going to put on an incredible show,” Crosby said.
He also pointed to personal familiarity with both men. “I’ve met Trump a couple times, and he’s been incredible to me,” Crosby said. He added. “I know Dana [White] thinks nothing but the world of him and has a lot of respect for him. But you know we’ve met a couple times, and he’s always been great to me. So, going to the White House, and being there, is going to be a lot of fun for sure.”.
The conversation quickly widened beyond UFC and the White House, pulling in another major sporting question: what happens when the Olympics come calling.
When Crosby was asked about representing the United States in flag football, he didn’t hesitate. The sport is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and Crosby said he would welcome the chance. “Oh, no doubt,” he said. “I think it’d be incredible.”
Crosby said his family background adds complexity to the decision—his mother’s side includes Yugoslavian roots. with Serbian and Albanian ties. “My mom’s side. I’ve got a Yugoslavian background. so I’ve got some Serbian and Albanian in me over there. ” he said. He added that those countries could also want to involve him. “I’m sure they’d give me a call as well, so it’d be an interesting decision.”.
Still, Crosby made his allegiance plain. “Everyone knows my heart’s here,” he said. “This is the country I’ve been raised in, born and raised, so yeah, it would definitely be special.”
With the idea of an Olympic roster in the air. Crosby was asked whether he’d try to recruit Tom Brady—his Raiders connection—if Brady ever joined the Team USA picture. Crosby laughed and said he didn’t think Brady would do it. “I don’t think he would do that,” he said. “I think he’s retired and there’s a lot of great quarterbacks right now. But I wouldn’t be mad at Tom Brady coming back. It’s a great time.”.
In the day-to-day world of his own team, Crosby spent time on Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders quarterback adjusting to life at the NFL level after a successful college run.
Crosby said Mendoza is young and coming off an “incredible season and an incredible college career,” but stressed that the NFL starts differently. “But when you get to the NFL, you’ve got to start from square one.”
He described what’s stood out most: Mendoza’s willingness to learn, fit into the locker room, and ask questions. “I think he’s done an incredible job of just being one of the guys, being humble, being a sponge, just learning from everybody and asking questions,” Crosby said.
And while Crosby praised Mendoza’s approach, he said practice won’t get softer just because the rookie is new. “There’s no taking it easy,” Crosby said with a laugh. “We play this game one way, and I’m going to go out there and do what I do. It’s going to help him in the long run and making him better. I want to push all my teammates. That’s how teams improve — by pushing each other and making each other better on a daily basis.”.
Crosby also pushed back against the impulse to compare young quarterbacks to established stars. “A lot of times people try to make comparisons,” he said. “People just need to allow Fernando to be Fernando. I think he’s going to be a really special player.”
For Crosby, the Brady angle isn’t about mentoring from the sidelines every day—it’s about having a winning standard inside the building. Brady is part of the franchise as a minority owner, and Crosby talked about how unusual it feels to work within an organization that includes the NFL legend.
“Tom has had one of the greatest careers, if not the greatest career, of anybody,” Crosby said. “He’s an incredible player and won at the highest level.”
Crosby said Brady isn’t involved in the day-to-day operations, but remains a resource when he’s around. “Anybody you get around an organization that has done it at that level, I think is a positive,” Crosby said. “He’s not there all the time, but he is a resource for people in that building. I think his winning mindset is only a plus.”.
Crosby also recalled how limited his personal experience with Brady has been on the field. “Crosby only played Brady once before Brady retired,” he said—and added, “I wish we could have had a couple more swings at it.”
The appearance came as part of a partnership with SAXX Underwear. a brand Crosby said caught his attention for more reasons than one. He joked that the name fit his football identity: “Obviously. everyone knows I make a living sacking quarterbacks. so the name alone drew me in. ” Crosby said. “The double X was a bonus, too.”.
Beyond the wordplay, he said the product has become part of his routine. “I literally wear it every single day,” Crosby said. “I wear it during workouts, I wear it around the house, I literally wear it everywhere I go.”
Yet there’s one clear line he won’t cross. “Still, while Crosby wears it to workouts, he won’t be wearing it during games.” He explained why: “It’s not NFL certified yet,” he said. “But I wear it to the games, for sure.”
Maxx Crosby UFC White House America 250 June 14 Justin Gaethje Dana White Donald Trump flag football 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Fernando Mendoza Tom Brady Las Vegas Raiders SAXX Underwear