New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye talks to the media, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
With kickoff of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots just days away, and the 2025-26 NFL MVP award set to be handed out Thursday night, one could be excused for thinking Patriots star quarterback and MVP candidate Drake Maye has winning these two football prizes at the top of his list of goals for the week.
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But, as the second-year QB explained to a throng of reporters at Wednesday’s Super Bowl media availability, that person would be wrong.
“Knowing that [God’s Word is] bigger than football has been such a thing for me to lean on and take my thoughts away from football and know that this is my purpose and this is why I’m here on this stage today,” he told Sports Spectrum. “Being able to shine a light on others and get them to follow Jesus Christ is what I’m here for and what God put me here to do.”
The 23-year-old Huntersville, North Carolina, native revealed that chapel before games, led by Patriots chaplain James Mitchell, has led to growth in his faith and the faith of many of his teammates.
“One of the best things about a football team is that there’s other brothers on the team that are followers of Christ,” Maye said. “Being able to share thoughts and sit down in chapel and listen to our chaplain, Mitch, talk before a game, it’s just so powerful. And realizing the night before a game that we’re in here spreading the Word and listening to the Word.”
At Monday’s media availability, Maye also mentioned his faith.
“Faith, family, and football. That’s me to a T. I think in that order,” he said. “Just putting my faith first, knowing that’s my purpose.”
He later expanded on Who he has faith in.
“I’m a follower of Jesus Christ,” he declared. “It’s the biggest thing in my life. And keeping that at No. 1, and knowing that that is what’s gotten me here and what helps me get here. I can shine light on others, hopefully leading them to a relationship with Him or doing whatever I can to help lead them to Jesus Christ, knowing how their life can change and what it can do for them.”
When asked about his favorite Bible verse, he paused, deliberating. Then he quoted Proverbs 16:9.
“‘The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.’ What a verse that is,” Maye said. “… You can have all these plans in life — ‘I want to do this, I want to do this’ — but it’s really the Lord’s doing the work.”
The former North Carolina Tar Heel has been more outspoken about his faith in 2025-26, even as he’s launched himself into the conversation about the best players in the NFL. After a difficult rookie season in which New England finished 4-13, Maye completed 72.0% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season on the way to a 14-3 regular-season record. He has also proven to be a threat on the ground, rushing for more than 400 yards each of his two pro seasons.
However, his rushing totals have only increased in the Patriots’ three playoff wins with 141 yards, including a crucial 3rd-and-6 scramble to seal the win against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
Now in the Super Bowl, Maye is trying to not let the pressure affect him. He, rookie TreVeyon Henderson, kicker Andy Borregales and other Patriots players were even spotted in the famous California-based fast-food chain, In-N-Out Burger, this week. In the video, Maye is sporting a sweatshirt that reads “Be a Blessing” with an image that combines a cross and a Bible.
Maye also lists “Jesus” in his Instagram bio.
By this time next week, Maye could be a Super Bowl champion and an NFL MVP. They are both dreams he has pursued since childhood. But ultimately, he knows his love for football is a gift from God, given to point others to Jesus.
“I think the biggest thing is using my platform to spread the Word and spread the Good News,” Maye said during an appearance on Boston radio station WEEI in December. “That’s one of the biggest things that I’ve tried to work on in my career is using my platform to inspire young kids or inspire even older people that may not be into their faith as much. Just to know that it’s out there for everybody.
“One of the biggest things in my life that I’ve learned is that there’s purpose and there’s passion. My passion is football and my purpose is [being] a believer and being strong in my faith.”
The Patriots and Seahawks are set to take the field for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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