Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye made a strong impression during Thursday’s preseason game against the Eagles, despite New England’s narrow 14-13 loss.
Maye’s performance wasn’t just noticed by fans and analysts—it also caught the attention of his girlfriend, Ann Michael Hudson, who couldn’t hide her excitement.
Hudson took to her Instagram Stories to share her reaction, posting a video of Maye’s first NFL touchdown drive. The video captured the moment when Maye skillfully led the Patriots down the field, capping it off with a rushing touchdown that gave New England a 10-3 lead heading into halftime. Along with the video, Hudson enthusiastically wrote, “LET’S GOOOOO!”
Though it’s unclear whether Hudson, who is entering her senior year at the University of North Carolina (where Maye played his college football), was present at Gillette Stadium for the game, her support was evident. The couple has been dating since at least 2019, based on Maye’s Instagram posts.
Hudson, 21, is majoring in Business Administration and has been a constant source of support throughout Maye’s budding football career.
RELATED: Drake Maye’s Girlfriend Pays a Visit to New England Patriots Training Camp
Maye, who was selected as the No. 3 overall pick by the Patriots in the April NFL Draft, played a significant role in the second and third quarters of the game. He was instrumental in leading the Patriots on two of their three scoring drives, completing 6 of 11 passes for 47 yards, and adding a four-yard rushing touchdown to his stat line. This performance followed a brief appearance in the Patriots’ preseason opener, a 17-3 victory over the Panthers, where Maye played just one series.
After the game, Maye reflected on his performance with a mix of pride and humility. “Had some good things and had some bad plays. Definitely a lot of things to learn from,” Maye said. “It was good to go out there and have some tape to learn from.”
Maye’s entrance into the game came after Jacoby Brissett, the projected Week 1 starter, struggled in his quarter of play, throwing an interception to Philadelphia’s Avonte Maddox. Maye’s strong showing provided a spark for the Patriots’ offense and offered a glimpse of his potential as he continues to develop in the NFL.
Looking ahead, the Patriots are set to face the Washington Commanders in their final preseason game on August 25 before kicking off the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8. With his preseason performances under his belt, Maye is poised to be a key figure for the Patriots, whether as a backup or a potential future starter.
As the season approaches, both Maye and Hudson appear ready for the journey ahead, with Hudson cheering him on every step of the way.
