NFL star filmed performing lewd act during Raiders loss to Chargers

The Las Vegas Raiders' home opener under Pete Carroll was already a frustrating affair on the pitch, with a 20-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football leaving the crowd at Allegiant Stadium disgruntled. However, an odd sideline incident involving Maxx Crosby added an unexpected element to an otherwise difficult night.

During the second half, ESPN's cameras switched to the Raiders' bench while the defence was off the pitch. Crosby, one of the league's top non-quarterback earners, suddenly seemed to perform a crude act by humping the air three times whilst lying on his back stretching. The clip quickly went viral, triggering responses ranging from amusement to mockery across social media.

The Chargers dominated defensively, keeping Las Vegas without a touchdown and forcing three interceptions from quarterback Geno Smith. Justin Herbert threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard pass to Quentin Johnston that opened up the game in the second quarter.

For the Raiders, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty managed just 43 rushing yards on 11 carries, and second-year tight end Brock Bowers was limited to three short receptions after entering the night questionable with a knee injury.

Crosby himself made a few significant plays, including disrupting a Chargers run late in the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs, but the All-Pro edge rusher was otherwise quieter than usual.

He ended with five tackles and no quarterback hits, as the Chargers' offensive line largely kept him at bay despite an early flurry of pressures. However, his on-field effort was overshadowed by a viral clip.

Crosby has long been a magnet for attention. Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2019, he's evolved into one of the league's top defensive ends, securing a hefty three-year, £80million ($106.5m) extension this offseason with £69m ($91.5m) guaranteed.

But he's also displayed his fiery, sometimes contentious personality both on and off the pitch. This preseason, he was caught on camera making obscene gestures towards fans in Seattle.

Monday's sideline antics were less aggressive but equally surprising. Whether it was harmless stretching gone awry or an ill-timed joke, Crosby's sideline act became one of the most bizarre viral moments of Week 2.

For the Raiders, though, the bigger concern is bouncing back from a lacklustre home debut and giving their star defender a reason to celebrate for the right reasons in Week 3.