Maxx Crosby puts Roger Goodell on notice after NFL forced him to make change

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Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby is putting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on notice after league officials forced him to make a change in the middle of a game.

The six-time Pro Bowl pass rusher revealed that he was ordered to remove a pair of pink cleats during the Raiders’ 2025 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles because they did not comply with the NFL’s uniform rules. Crosby initially refused, remained on the field long enough to record a crucial sack and then reluctantly changed his footwear.

Now, Crosby is calling for Goodell and the NFL to loosen their restrictions and allow players to show more personality through their game-day cleats.

Maxx Crosby reveals NFL’s midgame demand

During a recent interview with streamer N3on on Kick, Crosby compared the NFL’s uniform policy to the NBA’s approach. NBA players routinely wear shoes featuring unique designs and colors, even if the footwear does not perfectly match the rest of their uniforms. Crosby believes NFL players should receive the same freedom.

“The NBA does it right,” Crosby said. “They let the players do their own [thing], rock their own colors.”

Crosby then recalled what happened when he attempted to wear pink cleats against Philadelphia. The Raiders star said he kept the cleats on for a few drives before seeing an equipment staffer waiting for him on the sideline with an approved pair. League officials had apparently noticed the pink footwear and ordered Crosby to remove it.

Crosby had no intention of immediately complying. With the Eagles facing a third down near the red zone, he told the equipment staffer he would finish the series before changing. Crosby then made the moment even more memorable by recording a sack in the pink cleats.

“I’m playing the rest of the series,” Crosby recalled telling the staffer.

After making the defensive stop, Crosby returned to the sideline and removed the cleats. He said he was not allowed to wear them again. Although the incident did not prevent Crosby from making an impact, it left him frustrated with a policy he believes is unnecessarily restrictive.

Crosby puts Roger Goodell on notice

The NFL generally requires players to wear approved footwear featuring colors associated with their respective teams. Players can face fines or other discipline for uniform violations. Crosby does not understand why the league is so concerned about the color of a player’s cleats, especially when the NBA gives its athletes considerably more freedom.

“NFL should just let us wear our own colors on our shoes,” Crosby said. “It’s not that hard. We ain’t hurting anybody.”

The Raiders star also pointed to the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign. The annual initiative allows players to wear specially designed cleats promoting charitable organizations and causes that are meaningful to them. Those custom designs can feature a wide range of colors, graphics and personal messages, but players are only allowed to wear them during a limited portion of the season.

Crosby sees that campaign as proof that colorful cleats can be incorporated into NFL games without distracting from the action or damaging the league’s image.

“We do it every year with My Cause My Cleats,” Crosby said. “That’s the only time we get to wear different colored cleats.”

Crosby then addressed Goodell directly.

“I love the NFL, but we’ve got to have a little more fun, Roger,” he said.

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Will the NFL listen to Crosby?

The NFL has become more flexible with its uniform rules in recent years. Teams have received greater freedom to introduce alternate helmets, throwback uniforms and additional combinations. Those changes have proven popular with many fans and created new merchandising opportunities for the league.

Individual players still have far less control over their appearance. Crosby is one of the NFL’s most recognizable personalities, both because of his relentless style of play and his distinctive look. His extensive tattoo collection includes tributes to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Muhammad Ali, among other influential figures.

The Raiders defensive end believes customized cleats would give players another harmless way to display their personalities. He is not asking the league to abandon uniforms altogether. He simply wants more freedom with footwear. Whether Goodell will take Crosby’s message seriously remains to be seen. One thing is certain: The NFL’s policy could not stop Crosby from getting one last sack in those pink cleats.