That’s because Maxwell’s story is an abject lesson in never giving up and getting the best out of oneself, even when you may not be as talented as others. It’s a story about drive and determination and one that many of us can probably learn from.
As Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said before Maxwell officially announced his retirement, he started his career from one of the lowest positions on an AFL list - as a rookie. And from that beginning, you’re always going to be up against it making the grade.
But not only did Maxwell make it as a 208-game player, he became the club’s skipper when Scott Burns retired, earned an All Australian nod and led his side to the 2010 flag.
In doing so, Maxwell hasn’t always been liked. His sometimes abrasive manner and combative attitude in the face of challenging questions hasn’t always endeared him to the public.
The Maxwell bashers included Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett who wrote: “None of our players had any respect for Maxwell. We hated how he was being compared to Tom Harley. It was simply wrong.”
That and that silly flavour saver on his face hasn’t done him any favours either!
Maxwell has also been involved in some of the game’s more contentious moments too, like a pre-season hit on West Coast’s Patrick McGinnity in 2009. McGinnity was left with a broken jaw and Maxwell was initially hit with a ban by the MRP.
However, it was argued McGinnity’s injury was caused by the pair clashing heads and Maxwell was off the hook. It led to changes to the bump rule but at the time a youngster was seriously injured and missed a lot of footy while Maxwell appeared to get off scott free.
Maxwell was also particularly scathing when interviewed directly after the 2010 Grand Final draw with St Kilda, the skipper at his combative best when demanding extra-time be played in that match, even though the week off ultimately did the Magpies a power of good.
But in that last week of September 2010 and into the first week in October, Maxwell’s never-say-die attitude showed just what a great leader he was at that time for the Collingwood footy club.
During the drawn Grand Final as St Kilda stepped things up deep in that frantic final term, Maxwell’s desperate dive on the goal-line stopped an all-but certain Nick Riewoldt goal, while a big mark with four minutes remaining kick-started a chain of play that saw Collingwood score a premiership-saving goal.
And, with his side struggling to lift again after the emotional rollercoaster of the first Grand Final week, it was Maxwell that looked outside the box in a bid to win that elusive 14th flag.
Speaking on SEN earlier this year, Maxwell said he contacted Melbourne Storm skipper Cam Smith to get his advice.
“2010, obviously we were favourites going into the game and at times we looked like we were going to win it and then obviously we had the draw so we were pretty flat afterwards," Maxwell said.
"I contacted him (Smith) on the Monday and just asked for a catch-up for a chat. It's just 'cause he goes from playing in Origin and then two days later has to back up for Storm and I just sort of sat down and picked his brain on it all and how he gets the group up and gets them going again.
"He was unbelievable so it was a big help for me."
It may have been just a small meeting, but seeing Smith was indicative of Maxwell’s willingness to go that extra mile. And, it was this attitude that saw him defy one major injury after another – a 2011 liver injury was particularly severe - as he sought ways to combat a body that was ageing before its time.
Ultimately, it was this desire that took him from a mere rookie to a premiership captain and an attitude that deserves respect, even if Maxwell has never been your cup of tea.
Even, heading into this season, when it seemed like it may be his last, Maxwell took his training to another level, starting work well before the others in a bid to get his body right for 2014.
And, the work appeared to have paid dividends as Maxwell’s form during the early part of the year had been seriously good, his organisational abilities helping Collingwood’s young defence keep functioning. Without him and the experienced Nathan Brown, the Pies lost three of four games and their free fall down the ladder may not be over yet.
But a calf injury a few weeks ago spelled trouble for the 31-year-old and when he hobbled off the ground with an ankle injury during Sunday’s 64-point belting by Essendon, things really didn’t look good.
The fact Maxwell played on as he was desperately needed in an under-siege backline speaks volumes about him.
“I went down to the rooms with the doc and he examined me and saw what I could do and I said, ‘can you jab it?’ So he tried that and strapped me up and I said, ‘let’s give it a go’, and probably the strange part is, that’s the only ever time in my whole career I’ve played with an injection and it didn’t really work too well for me.
“In the end it (the injury) was, I think three different types of ligament damage as well as the membrane between the fibula and tibia, so pretty significant and in the end ... look if I’m being completely honest, I was almost relieved when he told me it was a 10 weeker and not a four weaker.
“Then I would have had to put myself through it all again of having to fight for every minute of every day to try and get it right. Eventually it wears you down and I’ve had to do it too often, so I was actually relieved in the end that I guess it as taken out of my hands.
“Unfortunately my body just had had enough, so that’s it.”