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How getting dunked on by his brothers prepared Drake Maye for the ‘roller coaster’ of life in the NFL

Maye's mother told him he couldn't just take the ball and go home after losses to his brothers. Those early lessons helped shape the QB's confidence.

Published: Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 10:04 PM
How getting dunked on by his brothers prepared Drake Maye for the ‘roller coaster’ of life in the NFL
Key Things to Know
  • Drake Maye credited childhood basketball losses against his older brothers for teaching him resilience in the NFL.
  • Maye earned AFC Player of the Week honors after leading the New England Patriots past the Buffalo Bills.
  • The 24-year-old quarterback previously faced scrutiny following a 29-point blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Story in 60 Seconds

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye credited his childhood experiences playing basketball against his older brothers for teaching him how to handle setbacks in the NFL. After a difficult start to the season that included a 29-point blowout loss against Jacksonville, Maye rebounded to earn AFC Player of the Week honors in a victory over the Buffalo Bills, lifting the Patriots to a 2-2 record.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels praised Maye's mental resilience and improved decision-making following the win. Despite leading the league with seven interceptions, Maye connected on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Efton Chism against Buffalo and is now preparing to face the Las Vegas Raiders.

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