New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye headed back to his hometown this week. Just weeks after the Patriots lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, the 23-year-old second-team All-Pro was in Charlotte on Thursday night. Maye sat courtside with his wife Ann Michael at the Spectrum Center for the Hornets versus Knicks. What followed quickly took over social media.
Drake Maye’s Courtside TD Bombs
The Spectrum Center gave Drake Maye a real welcome home. Hornets PA announcer Shawn Parkerintroduced him as “All-Pro quarterback Drake Maye,” and the Charlotte crowd erupted right away.
What came next was ready before anyone realized it. The Hornets’ hype team provided the footballs during a timeout, and Maye stood up and went to work. His wife Ann Michael snapped each ball back to him between throws. One after another, Maye fired four deep passes high into the upper rows of the stands. Fans scrambled to their feet and reached up to haul them in. Every throw brought another roar from the crowd.
All-Pro QB Drake Maye Slings Courtside Bombs at Hornets vs Knicks With Wife Ann Michael
All-Pro QB Drake Maye Slings Courtside Bombs at Hornets vs Knicks With Wife Ann Michael (Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
It was a natural scene for someone who grew up in this building’s backyard. Maye was born in Huntersville, about 20 minutes north of the Spectrum Center, and starred at Myers Park High School in Charlotte before heading to UNC and landing with the Patriots as the third overall pick in 2024.
On the court, the Hornets added to a good night. Charlottebeat the visiting Knicks 114-103, snapping New York’s seven-game winning streak. Rookie Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 26 points, while LaMelo Ball added 22.
It rounded out a strong year for Maye, who threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and a second consecutive Pro Bowl before the Patriots’ Super Bowl run ended 29-13 against the Seahawks.
Not everyone kept the celebration going online. Some fans had sharper words waiting.
Fans Fire Back Drake Maye’s Courtside Passing Drill
The video spread fast. The NBA posted the clip on social media and it pulled in over half a million views within hours. Many comments celebrated Maye’s ease and his connection with the hometown crowd. Others went straight back to February.
One fanwrote: “He knows better than to show his face in boston after that shit playoff performance”
A secondadded: “We celebrate Super Bowl losers now”
A thirdsaid: “After that Super Bowl performance, he should be hiding”
One userreplied: “Drake Maye really can’t stop throwing touchdowns, even in the offseason”
Anotherfiredback: “yes, he can. He stopped in the playoffs.”
The reaction shows how quickly a lighthearted moment can carry the weight of a Super Bowl loss. Patriots fans have not let go of that February night, and even a fun courtside clip can bring it rushing back. Maye, for his part, looked relaxed and completely unbothered throughout the evening.
Maye now turns focus to the 2026 NFL season. The Patriots face the Bills twice as AFC East rivals and travel to Kansas City for a road test against the Chiefs, who bring a strong defense and deep playoff experience.