Raiders' Maxx Crosby's Heartfelt Gesture After Tragic Loss at Empower Field
Denver, Colorado — November 6, 2025 — In a heartbreaking incident that has left the football community in mourning, a young Denver Broncos fan tragically passed away while attending the Broncos-Raiders game at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday night. The devastating news quickly spread through the stadium and beyond, shaking both Broncos and Raiders fans alike.
The fan, whose identity has not yet been released, was enjoying the game with family and friends when the unthinkable occurred. The cause of death remains under investigation, but the tragedy has left a lasting impact on everyone who witnessed it. For many, the evening that was meant to be filled with football excitement turned into one of sorrow and reflection.
But amidst the grief, a powerful story of compassion and humanity emerged. Maxx Crosby, the star pass rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders, who had been playing against the Broncos that night, learned of the devastating news shortly after the game concluded. Instead of focusing on the result of the game or the pressure of a hard-fought rivalry, Crosby made an extraordinary decision to offer his support in a way that few could have expected.
Crosby, known for his fierce determination on the field, demonstrated an equally powerful level of kindness and empathy off the field. The following day, he visited the grieving family of the young fan at their home in Denver, offering his condolences in person. The gesture was deeply moving, but Crosby didn’t stop there. In a remarkable act of generosity, Crosby donated $100,000 to the family to help cover medical and funeral expenses during this unimaginably difficult time.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Crosby explained his actions with simplicity and sincerity: "When you hear something like that, it just hits you hard. These are people, just like us. They don’t deserve to go through something like this, and if I can do anything to help, I will. This is just the right thing to do." His words resonated deeply with fans, players, and fellow athletes, many of whom expressed their admiration for Crosby's thoughtful and selfless response to the tragedy.
Crosby’s donation not only provides crucial financial support to the family but also sends a poignant message of unity and kindness in a time of hardship. While the NFL is often celebrated for its fierce competition, this tragic event has reminded us all of the human side of the game — the community and compassion that transcends rivalries and colors.
Fans of both the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders have rallied around the young fan’s family, offering condolences and support in droves. The story of Crosby’s donation has spread rapidly on social media, with many sharing heartfelt tributes to the star player for his remarkable display of empathy.
While the Broncos’ home game against the Raiders will always be remembered for its competitiveness on the field, it will also forever be linked with this somber moment. But thanks to Crosby’s compassion, a glimmer of light shines through the darkness, proving that even in the face of tragedy, sports can remind us of the power of kindness, generosity, and humanity.
As the Broncos and Raiders continue their seasons, this tragedy will remain in the hearts of those who were touched by it. The young fan may be gone, but the love and support from the football community will carry on in their memory, thanks to the actions of one player who showed that there is more to life than just the game.
NFL Hands Down Significant Punishment For Jets Player Over Browns Game
Before running into the streaking New England Patriots on Thursday, the New York Jets looked like they were undergoing a renaissance of sorts. After losing their first seven games in a row — albeit five of them by a touchdown or less — the Jets suddenly found themselves on a mini-streak of two straight wins, sandwiched around a bye week.
The second of those wins, at home over the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, was not a pretty affair. The Jets scored 10 fourth-quarter points while holding Cleveland to just three, hanging on for a 27-20 victory. The game was marred by a total of 18 penalties, though one was declined. Seven of the accepted flags came against New York, costing the home team 61 yards.
But the officials also missed some rules violations, at least according to the NFL Operations Office which independently reviews every play from every game in search of infractions that may merit league discipline. The biggest miss, judging by the league office response, came against Jets five-year veteran cornerback Brandon Stephens.
24 Fines Handed Down From Week 10
After getting nothing out of a four-play opening drive, the Browns got the ball back on a Jets punt and marched 95-yards down the field for the game’s first touchdown. On the second play of the nine-play drive, Browns quarterback connected with 2024 Pro Bowl wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on a five-yard pass.
Stephens made the tackle, but according to the league office, illegally used his helmet to bring Jeudy down. The officials on the field either did not see the alleged violation, or they did not deem it worthy of a penalty call. But the Operations Office certainly did, slapping Stephens with the second-largest fine handed down to any NFL player in Week 10.
On Saturday, the league announced that it was doling out 24 fines to 23 different players on 15 teams for various violations stemming from Week 10 games.
2nd-Biggest Fine of Week
Of those, there was only one financial assessment heftier than the $22,388 handed down to Stephens. That went to the Washington Commanders‘ Javon Kinlaw who was touched up for $28,555, for what the NFL said was “contact with an official.”
Stephens could have been fined an even larger sum. Under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, the designated fine for use of the helmet is set at $23,186 for a first offense. But the league office apparently exercised its discretionary authority to shave a little less than $1,000 off the amount of Stephens’ fine.
Stephens has committed only two previous penalties this season, and more to the point, he has incurred only one previous fine. That came in 2023 when Stephens was a member of the Baltimore Ravens — the team that made him a third-round draft pick in 2021 — when he was assessed $7,251 for a hit on a defenseless receiver.
Stephens in First Year With Jets
Later in the Week 10 game, Jeudy made Stephens pay after all, beating the cornerback for a 22-yard touchdown reception.
After his four-year rookie contract with Baltimore expired, Stephens signed with the Jets in March as a free agent, inking a three-year, $36 million deal. But so far his performance has been mixed at best. Though Stephens has started all 10 games for New York, he has yet to pull down an interception, and has made 52 tackles, 36 of them solo.
