By Sophia Sargent
NEFJ Correspondent
FOXBOROUGH – When it comes to the New England Patriots, the buzz in the press is all about Drake Maye. As the team and Jacoby Brissett continue to disappoint fans, everyone wonders why the Maye era can’t start sooner rather than later.
Let’s backtrack, and think about some of the qualities that made the Patriots so amazing before Jerod Mayo’s leadership.
Players like Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady are not only incredible athletes, but they bring in their own outstanding personalities. One thing that gets lost in the buzz of the Patriots, is that the players make up the game, but the games don’t define the players.
When it comes to the potential of what Maye can bring to the team, there’s more than just what it could be on the field. There’s the charitable component as well. Recently, Maye took to Instagram to share one of his passions that has seemingly gotten lost in the frenzy of there discussion surrounding his career.
Maye announced that he will be partnering with the Special Olympics USA Games (lead sponsor United Healthcare) to kick off the training for the athletes as they gear up for the 2026 Special Olympic Games. The Special Olympics are a nonprofit organization highlighting athletes with intellectual disabilities. Their mission, according to the Special Olympics website “is to provide year round training for these athletes.”
According to the Special Olympics Games LinkedIn page, the competition will have “19 sports and will bring more than 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from across North America together for the largest humanitarian event in Minnesota’s history.”
Like the Olympics, there is a large event every four years with other states including Nebraska (2010), New Jersey (2014), Washington (2018), and Florida (2022).
Training started last week for the Olympians, according to Maye’s post. I had the opportunity to catch up with Maye and chat about his experience so far with two athletes in particular that he’s been coaching, Nick and Brett.
“Aaron (Salkin) came to me on an awesome kind of get together thing to do with Special Olympics and United Healthcare,” he explained. “First thought, it was an automatic yes. It’s a great opportunity to get around those kids.”
Just last week, Maye was at the Hockomock YMCA with teammates Brendan Schooler and Jonathan Jones to run a football clinic.
“I went up…Schools was nominated for something the other day, they had a little practice over there,” Maye said. “I went over there and then we did a thing out on the practice field with two Special Olympics kids (Brett and Nick). Just getting involved and putting a smile not only on their face, but it put a smile on my face getting involved with them. It’s something I’ve kind of grown up enjoying doing and just trying to take advantage when I get on this platform.”
Maye also shared the advice he’s been giving to the kids so far.
“Everybody always says ‘have fun,’ but you get what you put into it.” he added. “What I’ve found out here with the Patriots is that hard work works. Same thing with those guys when they’re playing. Big games on big platforms and they’re playing against opponents the same like we are. Just kind of enjoy it, embrace it and realize what kind of opportunity you have.”
Maye not only got to step out from being ‘just a football player’ with the opportunity, but with all of the pressure he is currently facing in the league, helping out is a bit of an escape for these high-profile athletes as well.
“Just seeing the joy they get from having a guy like me out there,” Maye added when asked what the most rewarding part of the experience has been so far. “Going through drills and seeing them catch a pass from me, little things like that, it might go a long way. I met a guy over at the YMCA the other day named Mike and he was just having a ball out there with me.
“That’s something that lasts and we’ll both remember forever.”