Maxx Crosby returns to Eastern Michigan to unveil Crosby Field

The former Eastern Michigan star takes center stage in Ypsilanti as a new playing surface is revealed.

One of the most unique playing surfaces in college football resides in the small town of Ypsilanti, MI.

Eastern Michigan’s signature gray playing surface at Rynearson Stadium received a makeover this offseason and also a new name. A ceremony was held Friday night to unveil the new playing surface, officially deemed “Crosby Field.”

Crosby Field is named after none other than recent Eastern Michigan star and current Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby suited up for Eastern Michigan from 2015 through 2018, earning First Team All-MAC honors twice and serving an integral role in ending a 29-year bowl drought for the program.

Crosby visited Ypsilanti last June for his induction as the 53rd member of Eastern Michigan’s ring of honor. A conversation between Crosby and athletic director Scott Wetherbee at breakfast during that visit about the turf condition at Rynearson Stadium ignited this offseason’s renovation project. Crosby stated his desire for the gray turf to remain in place and was also enthusiastic about the idea of removing the surrounding track — which received criticism over the years for its high school stadium-like feel.

Crosby and his wife Rachel presented Eastern Michigan with a $1 million check as chief donators to the project, and now the Crosby name is etched into the turf in Ypsilanti. Maxx did not want the field to be “Maxx Crosby Field,” but instead preferred “Crosby Field” for his wife’s significant input throughout the renovation process and her positive impact on Maxx’s football career.

“Along with his football success and he and Rachel’s contribution, we wanted to make sure his name was gonna be synonymous with this field for a long time,” Wetherbee said at the ceremony. “Because of that, and I told him it would happen, we got three more gifts of $1 million dollars. They wanted to do it because Maxx was on board.”

Those four gifts last fall summed to $5.5 million, resulting in the refurbished Crosby Field. A significant portion of that funding was spent constructing a new track facility for the track and field program after removing it from Rynearson Stadium.

The 26-year old defensive end returned to campus along with Rachel and his family for the Friday night ceremony, which was open to fans who purchased a ticket. Crosby reenacted Eastern Michigan’s signature field entrance as part of the festivities, tearing down a wall of cinderblocks with a sledgehammer. He was one of three speakers at the event, along with Wetherbee and head coach Chris Creighton.

Creighton’s passionate speech emphasized the extraordinary progress Eastern Michigan made since his arrival in December 2013. He recalled the days when Rynearson Stadium didn’t have lights and the Eagles were barred from night games and when 10-loss seasons were standard. Creighton spoke at length about Eastern Michigan’s climb from rock bottom, citing a time when newspapers suggested the university cut football after a highly-publicized HBO program scrutinized the program’s funding.

The head coach then likened the program’s journey from rock bottom to that of Crosby, who entered rehab due to a battle with addiction in 2020. Creighton stated that Crosby is the perfect representation for Eastern Michigan football, similarly recovering from the lowest of lows to become a better version of himself.

“Tonight as we unveil Crosby Field, it’s about Rachel and Maxx Crosby who have done it together, and it hadn’t been easy,” Creighton said. “You’re the epitome of who we are and what we want to be. God bless you guys. It’s a big deal.”

Crosby followed Creighton as the event’s final speaker, thanking the coach for giving him his lone FBS offer when nobody else believed. He also thanked Rachel for her unwavering support, as well as his family and the Eastern Michigan football community for shaping his successful football career.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without this army around me,” Crosby said at the ceremony. “I’ve got the best people in the world supporting me every single day. I just want to say, I love you guys, thanks for showing up, and Coach Creighton, without you giving me a chance, none of this would be possible.”

Crosby also signed autographs and took pictures with the Eastern Michigan faithful who attended the event.

The Wetherbee, Creighton, and Crosby speeches during the ceremony are available to watch on Eastern Michigan Athletics’ YouTube channel: