New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is about to embark on his first Super Bowl of his career, and legends have taken notice. Former Carolina Panthers linebacker and newly-minted Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly praised Maye. The Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler reported this.
Maye is familiar with the Panthers organization. He grew up in Charlotte, N.C., where quarterback Cam Newton was his favorite player, as reported by The Sporting News’ Megan Moriarity. Kuechly was a teammate of Newton’s from 2012-2019 before the linebacker retired prior to the 2020 season.
Kuechly spoke to Fowler about what he saw in the quarterback, as the latter looks to play in the biggest game of his career.
“He is just a great dude. Tough. He’s not a ‘me’ guy. He’s a ‘we’ guy. And all he’s done this year is win games. I think people are starting to recognize that this dude is a winner. “I don’t think there’s a selfish bone in his body…. There’s not a better guy to root for in the NFL than a guy like Drake Maye, plus he’s a Charlotte kid, and a great story. That’s my favorite thing — when really good players are great people.”
New England Patriots QB Had Success With Carolina Roots
Maye had a successful high school career, but was not a top quarterback by any stretch, but he performed well. He was able to really make his mark in the 2018 season. He threw for 3,201 yards and 36 touchdowns that year. Maye led Myers Park to the state semifinals while helping them to a 12-1 record
The quarterback went on to have a successful career at the University of North Carolina, throwing for 8,880 yards and 63 touchdowns from 2021-2023.
Kuechly Thrived as Carolina Panthers legend
Kuechly had a decorated career with the Panthers in his own right. He had 1092 tackles over the span of eight seasons. The Boston College product was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a five-time First-Team All-Pro.
The linebacker officially retired in January 2020.
Now, the NFL legend is offering praise to a player who once looked up to him. It is a full-circle moment, as Maye started his football career watching the likes of Keithley and the Panthers as they had the run of success in the late 2010s. Although the Panthers were never able to win the Super Bowl, they established themselves as one of the strongest defensive units of their time.
Kuechly played against some of the best players of this generation. He was able to see high-level quarterbacks in real-time. Now, there is a new group of young quarterbacks coming into the league, and they have made their presence known early on. Maye is certainly a part of their group. He looks to be the Patriots’ franchise cornerstone that they have been missing since the Tom Brady era. A win on Sunday and the Super Bowl would represent a new era for the Patriots and a chance to reestablish the glory of years past.
Patriots QB Drake Maye Praised by NFL Legend Prior to Super Bowl