Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was emotional over the devastating loss of his former teammate, fellow defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who died on April 23 at the age of 35.
Mauro’s father, Greg, shared the news of his passing in a Facebook post on Tuesday, and a cause of death was not given.
Crosby said he was heartbroken and “sick to my stomach” over the death of Mauro, an eight-year NFL veteran, in a social media video on Wednesday.
“Damn I can’t believe I have to do this right now,” Crosby began. “I’m sick to my stomach to be honest. But my guy Josh Mauro just passed away recently. Damn bro, I really don’t have words. I love you, bro, and I wish I could’ve done more for you. I wish I could’ve been there for you. It’s just tough man.”
Crosby explained that he and Mauro — who were teammates for a brief time with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 before Mauro’s release — fell out of contact as life took them in different directions.
“Sometimes you don’t talk as much and everybody’s got their own s–t going on and you could lose contact at times — but I’ll say this man, Josh I love you bro and I know you had my back since day one,” Crosby said. “You were the first and probably only vet to text me when I got drafted [in 2019].
“We came from the same area in Texas… I had known and admired who you were from afar for a long time — somebody I looked up to coming up in Texas. I cannot believe you’re gone, I truly can’t. Your family, your brothers, your mom, love y’all… Every time I had something going on, even if I was wrong, you always jumped in my defense.
“… We all have our battles man and you never know what people are going through. I wish I could just talk to you one more time. It f–king breaks my heart. I love you though, bro. You were hilarious and a great human being. I just wish I could’ve been there for you. I love you bro. Rest in peace.”
Crosby added that the pair lived in the same building and would drive to and from work together in Oakland.
“RIP To My Brother Josh Mauro… Love You Forever Family,” Crosby captioned his post, including a sad face and a dove emojis.
Greg Mauro revealed the loss of his son in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new — living in the presence of the Lord — we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” Greg wrote on social media.
“On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven. The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable moment. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words could ever express.”
Mauro spent four season with the Arizona Cardinals, and reached the 2015 NFC championship game, after he went undrafted out of Stanford in 2014.
In 2018, he played 12 games for the Giants before stints with the Oakland Raiders (2019) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) before returning to the Cardinals.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”
The Raiders released a statement mourning the loss of Mauro, who played 13 games with seven starts for Oakland.
Mauro tallied a career 130 tackles and five sacks.
