Drake “Drake May” May: A Complex Nickname
Sports nicknames are usually meant to be catchy and fun, often with a personal touch. So, it’s interesting that Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has a nickname that, while fitting, is also quite odd.
How does one even begin to make sense of being called Drake “Drake May” May? It’s almost like a riddle, isn’t it?
This nickname seems to have left even his teammates scratching their heads. Wide receiver Keishon Boutte was seen on the sidelines during a game, trying to figure out the meaning behind a chant from a fan. First, it was just a joke, but others began taking it seriously, even linking it to the upcoming Super Bowl against the Seahawks.
“Does anyone know what it means to be like Drake ‘Drake May’ May?” Boutte asked his teammates during the Patriots’ Week 13 win over the Giants. “Like, what does that even mean? I think they gave him a middle name.”
Broute, only 23 and entering his third season, quickly looked for answers. “I think I saw someone say that Drake ‘Drake May’ May is a play on his nickname,” he told team writer Alex Francisco. “I mean, he’s in a league of his own.”
There’s a good reason for all the buzz about Maye. As the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he made headlines in just his second season. He completed an impressive 72 percent of his passes, racked up 4,394 yards, and threw 31 touchdowns—all while keeping his interceptions to just eight. Plus, his passer rating? A stellar 113.5.
Maye even finished a close second to Matthew Stafford in MVP voting, showing just how far he’s come from his rookie season, where the team only managed a 4-13 record. Now, with a 14-3 season and two Pro Bowl nominations already under his belt, he’s certainly made an impact.
His performance has even impressed his coaches, who note that he’s only 23 and still developing.
New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels mentioned how Maye has the potential to carve out his own niche. He can create plays that Tom Brady, another Patriots icon, never utilized. “That never happened with Tom,” McDaniels commented. “Why? Because Drake can do it. It’s the Drake version of this offense.”
Brian Hoyer, a former Patriots QB, also acknowledges Maye’s unique talent. “You can’t compare him to anyone. That’s the greatest compliment I can give you,” he said.
In sports, a memorable nickname can go a long way, and Maye’s is certainly, well, unique.
