In the high-stakes world of NFL football, where ego often runs as fast as the players themselves, Drake Maye stands out like a refreshing breeze on a scorching summer day. Well, in a recent podcast appearance, Maye unfolds the truth about his humble behavior—it’s not not something very surprising.

This Monday, Carlos Talks Pats shared on his X handle about a talk with Drake Maye, sharing his thoughts on the importance of consistent support, coaching, and respect for coaching decisions. In the podcast, he revealed where he learned this valuable lesson, saying, “I think just the way I grew up. With my parents and how they kinda handled the household and raised us… If my parents tell us to do it, that’s a no brainer. What they ask of us, being humble and saying ‘yes sir’ and ‘yes ma’am’ little things like that — credit to my parents. Being a ‘good soldier’… kinda also comes along with being a rookie quarterback.”

At just 22, the New England Patriots’ rookie quarterback has been turning heads—not just with his insane playing style, but with something that’s becoming increasingly rare in professional sports: genuine humility. Maye carries himself with an almost puzzling mix of extraordinary talent and a down-to-earth charm. And now it’s clear where he gets it from.

Curious about the humble beginnings that shaped him? Time to uncover his roots! It’s clear that a sportsman can pick up the spirit of sportsmanship from another athlete. For Drake, that influence comes from his dad, a once-promising NFL player who’s now a bit of a forgotten figure.

Who is Drake Maye’s father?

Drake’s father, Mark, made a name for himself in college football as a standout quarterback. Unfortunately, his NFL journey didn’t take off as expected, mainly due to injuries that cut his career short. He had a quick run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it didn’t last long.

After hanging up his cleats, Mark shifted gears to coaching, taking on the role of defensive backs coach at various high schools in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s super dedicated to nurturing young talent and is always eager to help them shine.

Mark’s college days were impressive, especially during 1986-1987 when he led North Carolina’s football team. A highlight was in 1987 when he threw a 93-yard touchdown pass against Georgia Tech, setting a record for the longest pass play in the school’s history. That was definitely a standout moment for him. From humble roots to wild antics, this father proves that even the most grounded upbringing can unleash a little chaos. And his son is doing the same.

Even Shaun McVay, the rookie quarterback for the New England Patriots, was really excited about a close-up of Drake’s. Last Sunday, McVay threw for 282 yards, completing 40 out of 30 passes, with two touchdowns and one interception, helping his Los Angeles Rams beat the Patriots 28–22.

McVay said, “He looks like a stud.” Over seven games, Maye has averaged 6.5 yards per attempt, hitting 66.8% of his throws, with six of those being starts, and racked up nine touchdowns against six interceptions. Plus, he added another score by rushing 28 times for 260 yards. Clearly, the dude’s a stud, and if he keeps on going this way, the Pats might have to chance to rebuild a dynasty once again.