”Yeah, honestly, just the whole offseason in general, I faced a ton of adversity. There’s been a lot of bullets flying in my direction. And truly, you figure out who you are in those types of moments. And everyone has a different quote about pressure makes diamonds and all these different things and sayings and things like that, but ultimately, it’s real,” Crosby explained.
“And you could talk about it, and you could say, ‘Yeah, man, I can go through this adversity, I’ll be fine if this happens to me.’ But whenever it’s really going on, you figure out who you are, and you have a choice: you can fold or you can respond. And I know myself. I’m not working to just come back, I’m coming back better, and that’s my mindset.
“I know that and I believe it, and I prepare and work like an animal daily, and I do it for my teammates. Those guys see me and I want to show them that even if I’m not on the field, I’m on the bike, going just as hard, getting in shape so I can be ready when I’m back out there with them. And I’m trying to set that example and standard on a daily basis. This has been an amazing offseason.
“I know the biggest pet peeve of mine is when people see me, they’re like, ‘Man, you good?’ and I’m like, ‘S***, I’ve never been better.’ Honestly and I don’t just say that just to say it, I truly mean it and believe it. I have great people around me. My circle’s never been tighter and I go to war with two to three foxhole guys; I don’t need 15 people with me. I’ve got the right people around me, truly, and it’s extremely special.
“So, yeah, man, it’s been a great recovery process. Me and Rick Slate (Raiders’ assistant head strength and conditioning coach), my guy, we’re together probably more than me and Rachel, and that’s for sure. That’s my wife, and me and Rick are together every day, working and working and working, finding new ways to improve.
“And I say it has been better because I’ve been able to focus on other different things; whether that’s being in the weight room – I’m moving more weight than I ever have and doing things in a different way and able to get my body probably the proper rest that it actually needs. I know one speed, I’ve only been on ‘Go’ for the last 20-something years, working my tail off, I know that.
“So, this has forced me to have to take a step back in certain areas and not run 8,000-yards on the field every single day. I’m able to grind in a different way and able to stay calm, especially. I was on crutches for two months, somebody like me that can’t sit down is on crutches for two months. That alone is going to test you as a human being and especially on top of all the other stuff.
“But honestly, everything happens for a reason, man. I know I’m meant to be here for a reason; I believe that, and I’m so excited to be here in front of the fans, man. I can’t wait to get out there and see the fanbase and feel the fanbase when you’re back out at Week One versus Miami, it’s going to be legendary.”