All NFL players must deal with adversity at some point in their career. That is especially true for rookies, something New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has experienced first hand.
The way he has dealt with that adversity, however, is the biggest thing the 22-year old has learned about himself early in his career.
“I think just battling back from adversity. Adversity in times in the game, in times in this season,” Maye shared on Wednesday. “Starting the season, obviously, you plan on wanting to be the starter and handling adversity throughout the locker room or throughout just being on the football team. Then, handling adversity when I’m actually in their playing.
“So, just handling difficult times, bouncing back and knowing at this position that these guys look to me and know that I’ve kind of got to keep an upbeat mindset and an upbeat personality because these guys follow me, listen to me and respect me.”
Maye exemplified just that in a win against the Chicago Bears last Sunday. After throwing a poor interception in the first quarter, he soon after led the lone touchdown drive of the game as he completed all five of his passes for 54 yards and the score.
He then followed that up with a well-executed end-of-half scenario to steal three points.
“Short memory — I think it’s one of the biggest things for playing quarterback in this league,” Maye said. “I think there’s so many times throughout the season you see quarterbacks, especially at this level, that are handling adversity. It’s a tough feeling going out there after throwing an interception, jogging back out there and throwing it again. So, I think it’s something that’s kind of brushed under the rug when you’re facing a good defense. You go out there, make a bad play, have to run back out there, facing those same guys and have to throw it again.
“I think it’s definitely having a short memory and just trusting those guys around you. I think our team does a good job, especially the veterans.”
Despite being the youngest player on the team, Maye has started to take on a leadership role as their starting quarterback.
Even as he works through the ups and downs of his career, Maye has managed to keep his emotions in check throughout the game while making sure to consistently encourage his teammates (as seen in the team released mic’d up video).
“I think it’s come naturally. Growing up, I was always kind of an even-keeled mindset,” Maye said. “At the same time, I think showing frustration at times can be good for the offense and can kind of fire those guys up. So, kind of mixing and kind of feeling that out of when I could use that. Especially in practice, I think getting frustrated and showing, ‘Hey, we need to pick it up,’ sometimes can be good.
“So, I think just balancing that aspect of it and at the same time, remind those guys of pumping them up. I think everybody feels good when you get pumped up.”
