Drake Maye got his first ring Saturday.
One down.
Six to go.
Super Bowls.
Not wives.
Patriots fans still dream about another ring in February.
They’re just not sure in which year.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen were once the world’s sexiest couple.
At least inside I-495.
We saw how that worked out.
The sun set on “Camelot.”
And Lancelot doubled as a karate instructor.
Too much time with the karate instructor is never a good thing.
Unless it’s Mr. Miyagi.
Happy days no more.
Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson cornered the market on grotesque relationship dysfunction.
They’ve mercifully fallen off our radar screens of late.
Perhaps Belichick has finally moved on to football.
Or gotten a restraining order.
This brings us to the NFL’s cutest couple: Drake Maye and Ann Michael Hudson.
Or as she calls herself now: Ann Michael Maye.
The Patriots QB began his sophomore NFL season by getting hitched this past weekend in North Carolina to the love of his life.
The former childhood sweethearts appeared radiant on social media during and after their outdoor ceremony.
They began dating 10 years ago. That’s a long-term relationship by any measure. Especially considering Drake is 22. And Ann is 21. Both share August birthdays.
Ah, kids these days.
He’s 6-foot-4.
She’s 5-foot-2.
Adorbs.
Youthful good looks have blessed them both.
They’ll be getting carded in their 50s.
Alongside six wedding photos, the new Mrs. Maye posted on Instagram: “Best day ever!!!! I love you”
The couple shared their engagement photos on social media in January.
Sweeter than a bag of M&M’s.
No word if Ann Hudson Maye is determined to become a supermodel like the wife of the former Patriots QB.
She has a place in the elite social circle of Boston sports – if she chooses to accept it. Being the spouse of the Patriots starting QB – especially one such as Maye who has been given the keys to the franchise – makes one a public figure.
One need not be married to share the spotlight with a significant other. And that significant other doesn’t even need to be still employed by the Patriots.
The former Ann Hudson and the current Jordon Hudson appear to share little but their last names – save for a passion for cheerleading.
Ann Hudson and Drake Maye were born 49 weeks apart.
Jordon Hudson and Bill Belichick were born 49 years apart.
Jordon was a cheerleader in high school and college, attended Bridgewater State, and remains active on the pageant circuit. She’s also amassed more than $9 million worth of real estate held in various trusts, owns multiple trademarks related to Belichick’s work, and may or may have usurped whatever autonomy Belichick once enjoyed.
Ann was captain for the William Amos Hough High School field hockey, softball and cheerleading teams. She also played point guard for the girls basketball team. Ann graduated from the University of North Carolina this past spring with a degree in business administration. She carried a double minor in entrepreneurship and conflict management. Three skills that are essential in any marriage.
Her brother, Tad, was Maye’s backup QB and roommate at UNC for the 2023 season.
Few couples wed these days before at least one turns 30, never mind 23. Census Bureau data says the average for men to first get married is now 30.2 years. For women, it is 28.4.
Love finds a way. Eventually.
The knee-jerk reaction among many is to have their team’s QB “married to the game.”
But that doesn’t always produce the best results. Brady, for instance, won more Super Bowl rings (4) after getting his wedding ring than he did beforehand (3). Of course, he also lost two Super Bowls with Big G. watching from the luxury suite.
Mrs. Maye won’t have to remind us that her husband “cannot (expletive) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.”
Mr. Maye came to New England after being chosen by the Patriots with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft with his older brothers and Ann in tow.
“If you’re getting me,” Drake Maye said at Gillette Stadium that day, “you’re getting them.”
By all accounts, Maye appeared to be on an upward projection during the Patriots’ recent mini camp. The Patriots are still flirting with “Can’t Get Any Worse” territory. And Maye has only three NFL wins as an NFL starter. And one of those didn’t count.
Maybe Josh McDaniels can handle Maye in much the same way a dad might handle the kids from his second marriage. Less pressure on all involved.
Tight end Hunter Henry was at Maye’s wedding. While Hunter didn’t catch the bouquet, he’ll likely be Maye’s top target this season.
If you want the QB leading your favorite NFL to avoid distractions away from football, marriage can be a good thing. Especially when complemented by three older brothers.
The young Mrs. Maye will undoubtedly keep tabs on her hubby when he’s not at practice. He won’t be cruising aboard the party boats with Stefon Diggs. Nor will he get away with any intimate visits to strip mall day spas.
Older brothers Luke, Cole and Beau have been testing Maye his entire life. The wrath of Mike Vrabel has nothing on an elder sibling telling you not to screw up because you’ll upset mom and dad. Or pulling a flagrant 2 during one-on-one basketball in the family driveway.
Maye enters Year 2 with no visible diversions from football.
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”
We’ll know soon enough.
_Contact Bill Speros (@BillSperos and @RealOBF on X) bsperos1@gmail.com_