While many marvel at the player Maxx Crosby is on the field, his passion for impacting the Las Vegas community is equally as infectious.

He entered the league with the promise to use his platform to serve others. That commitment shines brighter than ever as he becomes the Raiders' winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the third consecutive year.

"Everyone knows Walter Payton, how great of a football player he was, but what he was as a human being shines even brighter," Crosby said. "He was one of a kind. ... One of the greatest players and people to ever be in this league. So being nominated is special to say the least."

"Since I was young, I always wanted to be able to help others and give back," he added.

Before all of the award nominations and Pro Bowl selections, he traces his success back to one singular decision. A deeply personal choice that's now been heavily documented in turning the tide in his career.

"I'm going on six years being sober and I wouldn't be in this position if I never did get sober," he said.

With substance abuse personally affecting the edge rusher, he's used his platform to help others going through the same struggles. The Maxx Crosby Foundation, established in 2023, is a nonprofit organization with the mission of supporting teen substance abuse intervention, as well as youth health and wellness and animal rescue.

The foundation has partnered with multiple charities and nonprofits, such as Hope for the City and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, to provide food, clothing and mental health resources to over 100,000 underprivileged children across the Las Vegas valley.

"That's something we're going to continue building and taking to another step," he said. "We're really excited about that. Obviously help a lot of teens and kids that are going through a tough situation with substance abuse and get them the help they need and being a light for them in any way I can."

And while part of the WPMOY award recognizes players who have an impact on their community, it also recognizes those who perform at a high level on the field. Crosby still chases his "1% better every day" mantra and currently leads the Raiders in sacks (eight), tackles for loss (23), quarterback hits (17) and passes defensed (tied-sixth).

"Maxx is a phenomenal player," Head Coach Pete Carroll said. "He's a phenomenal player. I mean, his consistency, the sacks he gets, the tackles for losses. He's playing as good as anybody can play, and that's not a surprise. You guys have been around a long time watching him. He continues to play at an extremely high level and produce and lead and send the right message and stand for what it takes to play great football."

Now in the midst of the sixth season, Crosby still thinks about something former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley once told him. A guiding principle that's intertwined his performance on the field with his commitment to serving his community.

"He always had his one-liners and quotes and things like that, but one that stuck with me the most is, 'You give with no intent to receive, it's always going to come back twofold.' And I live my life by that."

Fans can vote for Maxx Crosby to win Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen player on X/Twitter or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.