2024 was not a successful year for the New England Patriots, but it did come with a silver lining in rookie Pro Bowler Drake Maye. The 22-year-old quarterback impressed many NFL pundits, showcasing his exceptional growth week in and week out—which, as it turns out, may have been shaped by his love for Madden.
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The young QB showcased his football IQ during his chat with two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long on the Green Light podcast. When the NFL veteran asked him about the lengthy play calls he had to memorize, Maye didn’t hesitate, breaking down a few plays in full detail.
Reacting to a long play call, Long then said, “I play Madden, and you know this is still fresh.” And as soon as he mentioned Madden, Maye had a spark in his eyes, as if he was waiting for the former NFL star to bring up the video game topic.
“You play Madden?” Long asked.
“My dad used to love me playing Madden. He said, ‘Hey, if you’re going to play any video games, play Madden. You can see coverages,” Maye replied.
It was surprising to see a dad encourage his kid to develop his game through a video game. For years, parents of that generation have often viewed video games as nothing more than a waste of time. But as of late, embracing them as a tool for player development has become a modern approach, especially with the positive impact of VR and gaming technology. Just ask Jayden Daniels.
Studies actually suggest that surgeons who play video games make 37 percent fewer mistakes during surgeries. So, it’s no wonder why Chris Long was left amazed by the fact that Maye’s father was committed to his development to such a level. “Your Dad is smart,” he said.
And Drake replied, “Yeah, my dad, he played quarterback.”
For those unaware, Drake Maye isn’t the only quarterback from his family. In fact, he has continued his father’s legacy by playing QB at UNC. His dad, Mark, played quarterback for the Tar Heels from 1983 to 1988, while his mother, Aimee, is an alumnus of UNC as well, who played basketball in High School.
Clearly, the athletic gene runs in his family, but at the same time, his parents take great pride in instilling good values in Drake and his three brothers.
