Drake Maye was one of the first players picked in the 2024 NFL draft and his then-girlfriend, Ann Michael Maye, was beside him when he joined the New England Patriots.
“Drake, words can’t describe how proud I am of you,” Ann said Instagram in April 2024. “What an incredible blessing it has been to be by your side through all of this❤️ I love you and can’t wait for this next chapter!”
Drake, formerly the quarterback for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, was drafted by the Patriots in the first round. While making strides on the football field, Drake and Ann became engaged in January 2025 before tying the knot in June 2025.
The newlyweds had one wild first year of marriageincluding Drake leading the Patriots his first Super Bowl appearance with a win against the Denver Broncos in January 2026. Ann was by her husband’s side every step of the way, including two snow-filled playoffs before the February 2026 Super Bowl.
Keep scrolling to see Drake and Ann’s sweet love story:
January 2020
Drake posted his first Instagram photo with Hudson on New Year’s Day 2020.
“Wearing 20 with a 10🤤,” she captioned a photo of the pair standing cheek to cheek.
August 2020
“Somewhere on the beach 🏖,” the soccer player captioned a photo of him and Hudson enjoying a trip to Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
August 2021
Drake gave Ann a shout as he prepared to embark on a new chapter in life.
“Happy 18th to my girlfriend and best friend. Enjoy your day and your college move 🥰 I love you❤️,” he wrote alongside. two images of the couple, one of which was apparently a prom photo.
July 2022
The two posed by the ocean together in a photo dump shared by Drake.
May 2023
“Spring Bling✨,” Drake wrote alongside a photo of the duo dressed for a formal event. The jock donned a cool suit with a bow tie, while Ann wore a cream spaghetti strap dress with a layered skirt.
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April 2024
Ann showed her support for Drake before the NFL draft.
“Today is the day!” she wrote via her Instagram story along with an ESPN video of Maye, per Sportskeeda. “So excited for you @drakemaye.”
On the big day, Ann attended the ceremony with Drake when it was revealed that he would be joining the Patriots.
August 2024
Ann attended one of Drake’s first NFL games. “Just the beginning,” one captioned Instagram photo of the couple on the sidelines.
January 2025
The couple got engaged when Drake got down on one knee in a gorgeous seaside proposal.
“I love doing life with you,” Drake shared via Instagram. “I can’t wait to marry you!”
June 2025
Drake and Ann didn’t waste much time tying the knot, getting hitched six months after their engagement.
“What a night! Congratulations forever 🥂 I love you!” Drake wrote via Instagramsharing a series of photos from their ceremony.
August 2025
“Happy birthday to my better half, my best friend and lucky to call you my wife❤️ I love you,” the NFL player wrote via Instagram on August 11 while celebrating Anna’s birthday.
A few weeks later, on August 30, Ann toasted Drake’s birthday, write through social networks“Happy birthday to my eternal person❤️ I love you more than you know and I am luckier to be your wife! So grateful to be able to do this life with you 🥰”.
November 2025
During the 2025-2026 NFL season Ann started going viral on TikTok for her cooking skills, especially when her videos featured her husband or trying to feed the soccer player.
A video of Ann from November 5th donut bread with spiced apple cider it was viewed more than 175,000 times in a week and received more than 550 comments.
“Ann loves baked goods, but make sure Drake doesn’t overdo it. I need it to be quick,” one fan responded. “Thank you for taking care of Drake Maye, First Lady of New England,” read another.
The following month, Ann organized a “Happy Bakemas“countdown to bake where he baked a sweet or bread before the holidays. Drake was a frequent taste tester and guest on the TikTok series.
January 2026
Drake gave fans a glimpse into his home life with Ann during a press conference on January 21, revealing that the two are quite competitive.
“He started playing mahjong” Drake said. “I haven’t gotten into it. Something like that. Playing Battleship or cards or whatever I come up with playing with her.”
He noted that the couple started playing tennis in the off-season and loves to have a match. “She’s going to try as hard as we can to compete. She’s a great athlete,” Drake added.
Later that month, Ann was at Drake’s side when he ran the Patriots to victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, securing a spot in his first career Super Bowl LX.
While most fans were happy to see the Pats back in the big game, others couldn’t stop talking about Drake’s body language towards Ann after the Jan. 25 win.
Ann Maye, Drake Maye, Hunter Henry and Parker Elizabeth Schmidly.
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images“Why does he always seem so distant around her? I was so excited,” one user wrote in the comments section after the NFL shared a video of Ann congratulating Drake after the game where he seemed to be looking everywhere but his wife trying to hug him.
An independent user noted, “Looks like he couldn’t care less that she’s there, and that’s coming from a patriots fan. Doesn’t look like a couple celebrating going to the Super Bowl. Awkward.”
“I’m sure he loves him. He’s just closed,” one fan wrote in defense of the player. “He knows he has one more game to win.”
Ann, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by the critics, sharing her own celebratory post via Instagram on January 26.
“CHEER TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!❤️💙❤️💙 Words can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of you #10!!!! Seeing your dreams come true is the biggest blessing and I love you!!!!!” he captioned it a series of photos with Drake, who seemed happy to be by his side.
February 2026
Drake addressed a question about getting married when he was only 22 years old.
“My teammates are entitled to whatever they choose, but I would definitely advise them to eventually get married,” he said during the Super Bowl media availability. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever experienced in my life. There’s no better feeling than coming home to a woman who loves you and cares for you.”
He continued: “I know my peers, some of them are going through different times in their lives. I chose to marry young and I don’t regret it at all.”