The transformation of the New England Patriots can essentially boil down to an excellent job by new head coach Mike Vrabel and the jump Drake Maye has taken to emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate. After his 10-game winning streak got broken by the Buffalo Bills last week, he had to try to get things back on track against the Baltimore Ravens.
Going toe to toe with one of the most consistent franchises in the conference over the last half decade, Maye put together a solid overall performance. And, he also found time to pay tribute to one of the most iconic plays in sports history when he evoked the classic Dwyane Wade to LeBron James celebration.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James Tribute From Drake Maye
It has been a remarkable year for Maye, who went from a solid rookie season to an undeniable superstar in the span of a single offseason. Ranking at number four on PFSN’s QB Impact, he has been excellent all season long.
With arguably the most accurate and consistent deep ball in the league this season, he’s led the Patriots transformation, with a come-from-behind victory over the Ravens giving them their 12th win of the season to tie them for the best record in the AFC.
Registering the first 300-passing yard game of his career, he smashed that threshold with 380 passing yards and a touchdown, including leading back-to-back touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to come back from down 11 in the fourth quarter.
However, one of the most impressive moments of the night came early in the game. On the first touchdown conversion of the night for the Patriots, Maye threw a soft lob pass to Hunter Henry in the end zone.
As the veteran tight end snagged in the touchdown, fans could spot the superstar sophomore mimicking an iconic celebration.
Drake Maye pulled out the Wade to LeBron celebration pic.twitter.com/eutGlCaViY
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 22, 2025
More than a decade ago, when James and Wade were running roughshod over the rest of the NBA as part of the Miami Heat. Forming a mini-dynasty with the franchise, they went to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning two championships and setting a legendary 27-game win streak.
One of their most iconic plays came in a regular season game against the Milwaukee Bucks when the two charged down the court on a fast break. Wade threw a bounce pass back to the four-time MVP, who thundered in with a monstrous slam.
Before the play was complete, though, Wade started celebrating with his arms wide open. The base line camera crew caught the picture in what became one of the most iconic images in NBA history.
Fast forward to the tailend of 2025, and it was Maye who portrayed the role of Wade in the exchange, spreading his arm wide in an exact replica, as Henry notched the first touchdown of the night for New England.
