Drake Maye’s rookie season has been nothing short of remarkable - and not just because of what he’s doing between the lines. The New England Patriots’ young quarterback is leading a resurgent squad sitting atop the AFC East with an 11-3 record heading into a primetime showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. With 3,567 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, Maye has firmly planted himself in the MVP conversation, holding the second-best odds at +350, according to DraftKings.
But Maye’s transformation this season hasn’t been limited to the football field. Off the field, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has found grounding in a major life milestone - marrying his high school sweetheart, Ann Michael Hudson, back in June. The two tied the knot in their home state of North Carolina, and she’s been by his side ever since, moving with him to Boston for the 2025 season.
“She’s been awesome,” Maye said in a recent interview with former Patriots standout and NBC analyst Devin McCourty. “She’s been a great addition up here for me.
Getting married in the offseason, her coming up here to live in Boston. She’s from the South, [has] Southern charm.”
That Southern charm has made its way into the hearts of Patriots fans, too - especially through social media. Ann Michael has carved out her own spotlight with a viral TikTok series called “Bakemas,” a festive and wholesome collection of Christmas baking videos that’s earned her the affectionate nickname “Bake Maye” from the New England faithful. The videos have struck a chord with fans, drawing thousands of comments and helping her build a growing online following during the Patriots’ playoff push.
But while her content has been a hit, there’s still one detail that’s tripped some people up - her name. In a Dec. 8 interview on WEEI, Maye addressed the confusion head-on.
“I think people up north kind of struggle with the double name,” he said. “Her name’s a double name, Ann Michael, so hopefully people figure that out.”
It’s a naming convention that’s more familiar in the South than in New England, and it’s led to some public mix-ups - including a viral social media post in November that racked up over 2 million views before being corrected. Still, Ann Michael has made it clear on her Instagram that she goes by both names, and now that Maye has spoken up, the hope is that fans will get it right moving forward.
Through it all, what stands out most to Maye is the authenticity his wife brings to everything she does - something he’s appreciated since their relationship began back in 2015.
“She’s just being herself, and I love her for it,” he told McCourty. “I tell her that all the time.
‘Don’t change for anything.’ I think she deserves all the support.”
As the Patriots prepare for their biggest game of the season under the lights on Sunday night, Maye’s calm, composed presence is clearly rooted in more than just film study and game planning. With the support of a tight-knit relationship and a fanbase rallying behind both quarterback and “Bake Maye,” New England’s newest star is thriving in all the right ways.
Kickoff for Patriots-Ravens is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.