Most NFL fans know Drake Maye as the face of the New England Patriots. But his quick rise shows he didn’t just appear out of nowhere. His family has always been successful in sports. Drake’s three older brothers, Luke, Cole, and Beau, each built impressive athletic careers of their own.
As Drake gets ready for the biggest game of his young NFL career this Sunday in Super Bowl LX, let’s take a closer look at the brothers who helped shape him.
The Athletes of the Maye Family
Luke Maye, the oldest brother, was the first to put the family name in the national spotlight. He stood out as a basketball player at the University of North Carolina and played a key role in the Tar Heels’ 2017 national championship run. Luke was the first of the Maye siblings to play a college sport.
UNC fans will always remember his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the Elite Eight. He finished his college career as one of the program’s most respected players, known for his toughness and basketball IQ that lifted everyone around him.
After college, Luke went overseas and now plays professionally in Japan. For Drake, Luke was more than just a star; he set the example for everyone else to follow.
While Luke excelled in basketball, Cole made his mark in baseball. As a left-handed pitcher, Cole played at the University of Florida and was part of the Gators’ 2017 national championship team.
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That year, the Maye family achieved something rare: two brothers won NCAA titles in different major sports in the same season. Cole’s path proved there was more than one way to succeed in the family. His discipline and drive added to the family’s competitive spirit.
Beau followed more closely in Luke’s footsteps, joining the UNC basketball team as a walk-on. Though his role was smaller, Beau was part of the Tar Heels during the 2022–23 season and contributed whenever he was needed.
The brothers are still close today and often support each other at big moments. When Drake was drafted by the Patriots in 2024, all three brothers were there for him. He now calls them his “best friends,” showing a bond that goes beyond sports.
Earlier this week, when Drake was asked who his hero would be, he responded, talking about his older brothers.
“I think my hero would be my probably my older brothers,” Drake said at the Super Bowl media day this week. “I think my heroes, just leaving up, you know, growing up with them, having somebody, you know, that’s that close to me, you know, kind of live their own lives and me just learn from them.”
