Tom Brady Stokes Drake Maye Fever in Brunch with Maye and Other NFL Rookies

“I’ll always cherish the opportunity to talk to these young men who are about to start a monumental chapter of their lives,” Brady wrote via Instagram on Sunday. “I would never be in the place I am today without the incredible people and mentors that came into my life at the right time and at the right place. There are too many to mention but I have been blessed in so many ways. I feel we should always use our experiences to help others and ‘pay it forward’ to see the next generation grow as well. So they can live their dreams and maximize their potential.

“We talked about life and a little football, but from the tape I’ve been watching I think they have a great opportunity ahead,” Brady added. “See you all on the road this year and I can’t wait to watch your progress toward greatness with tremendous determination and discipline!”

A legend like Brady spending his time with the young men was a nice gesture and certainly a moment all the young players will cherish as they advance in their careers. But, for the Patriots’ Drake Maye, the Sunday meeting had to carry some additional heft.

Brady, despite finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will forever be known as the face of the New England Patriots and the motor behind the Patriots’ winning legacy, which captured six Super Bowl championships during his run with the team.

Big Brady Pressure for Drake Maye

Maye, meanwhile, is stepping into the Patriots spotlight as, perhaps, the team’s first real and legitimate chance at having a franchise quarterback since Brady left. Of course, the Brady name has to be circling inside the brain of the 21-year-old.

“Tom Brady’s the GOAT,” Maye said, back in April, shortly after being drafted by New England. “It’s easy to say that. He’s the best that ever played this game. I’m not going to be Tom Brady. So, I’m just going to try to be Drake Maye, and from there, I’m just trying to learn from him, hopefully get to know him a little bit. Other than that, just try to soak it up, be a sponge and try to learn all I can from him. He’s the man of that town.”

Brady has played it cool in the hours since his photo with Maye at the above mentioned breakfast went viral.

“Just two guys having brunch,” The future first-ballot Hall of Famer wrote via social media. “Calm down everyone.”

Maye’s Chance is Now

Maye, a former ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, certainly has the stats and credentials to become a legend in his own right. Finishing his college career at North Carolina with 8,018 passing yards, 63 passing touchdowns, 1,209 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, Maye enters the NFL as blue chip as blue-chips come. At one point, some even felt that he could be the overall no. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

But there’s a long way to go before Maye can be mentioned in the same breath as Brady. For now, he’s just someone who had a nice brunch with the GOAT…and who, unfortunately, will hear New England cat calls and jeers if he can’t do some Brady-like things on the field.