In the electric build-up to Super Bowl LX, all eyes are on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and his wife, Ann Michael Maye, whose journey from middle school sweethearts to the heart of the Patriots fandom has captivated fans across Foxborough and beyond. As the Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks, the spotlight has never shone brighter on this dynamic couple, whose story is as compelling off the field as the action promises to be on it.
Drake Maye, just 23 years old, was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Patriots, quickly earning his spot as the starting quarterback midway through his rookie season. But while Maye’s rocket arm and cool composure have drawn comparisons to New England legends, it’s his relationship with Ann Michael that’s become a fan favorite subplot. The pair’s bond traces all the way back to 2015, when they first met in middle school. Despite Maye’s transfer from William Amos Hough High School to Myers Park High School for football, and then both heading to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, their connection only grew stronger.
“Her watching my middle school football games playing quarterback to now getting a chance to watch me in the Super Bowl … I wouldn’t rather do it with anybody else,” Maye shared during a pre-Super Bowl press conference, highlighting the depth of their partnership. The couple celebrated their nine-year anniversary in October 2024, a milestone Ann Michael marked on Instagram: “9 years with you and it keeps getting better everyday❤️ I couldn’t imagine my life with out you as my best friend. I love you more than you know!”
Ann Michael, formerly Hudson, is much more than just the quarterback’s wife. She graduated from UNC’s business school in May 2025, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with double minors in entrepreneurship and conflict management. Her college years were packed with achievement—she served as vice president of finance for the Kappa Delta sorority and completed internships at Piedmont Pennies, Bosch Power Tools, and Deloitte Consulting. Ann Michael even found time to volunteer as a softball coach in 2022, a nod to her own athletic past as a captain for varsity softball, field hockey, and cheerleading, as well as a basketball player in high school.
After tying the knot on June 21, 2025, at the scenic Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina, the newlyweds wasted no time embracing the Boston area. Ann Michael moved north to support Maye’s burgeoning NFL career, and in the process, she’s become a sensation in her own right. Dubbed the “First Lady of New England” and “Queen of the North” by Patriots fans, Ann Michael has amassed over 500,000 TikTok followers and more than 200,000 on Instagram. Her viral baking videos, particularly her December “Bakemas” challenge—where she baked a new treat each day for 25 days—have made her a staple in Patriots Nation.
Her influence doesn’t stop at social media. In January 2026, Ann Michael launched her own show, “Beyond Bakemas,” with NBC Sports Boston. The debut episode featured Barstool Sports founder and die-hard Patriots supporter Dave Portnoy, and subsequent guests included Patriots alumni like David Andrews and influencer Emma Pritchard. The show blends her love of baking with behind-the-scenes stories from the New England sports world. As she revealed in one episode, “The O-line is the main recipient of my baked goods.” She even shared some of the thank-you notes from players, like, “We need to protect your husband so we need to keep on the extra weight,” and, “If you need a bodyguard, we’ll be your bodyguard.”
Ann Michael’s “Cinnamon Roll Snickerdoodles” have become legendary among the Patriots, with Drake Maye himself claiming them as his favorite. Brand partnerships have followed, with companies like Away Travel, Bush’s Beans, Dunkin’, and more lining up to work with her. Dunkin’ even crowned her the “queen of the north,” a title the Patriots faithful have wholeheartedly embraced.
But it’s not all baking and brand deals—Ann Michael’s competitive streak runs deep. She teaches reformer Pilates at Higher Ground Fitness in Massachusetts and kicked off Super Bowl week in February 2026 with a Pilates class for fans and friends. Drake Maye has nothing but praise for her athleticism: “She’s a great athlete,” he said in January 2026. “Shoot, she’s a — it could be board games. She started playing mahjong, I haven’t gotten into that… or playing Battleship or cards or anything that goes off me playing her. We picked up tennis a little bit in the offseason… She’ll try anything we can compete in. She’s a great athlete.”
Her family’s sporting pedigree is impressive as well. Ann Michael’s younger brother, Tad Hudson, was Maye’s backup quarterback at UNC in 2023 before transferring to Coastal Carolina University in 2024. Her father also played football for Wofford College, making sports a true family affair.
Ann Michael’s presence at Patriots games has become a staple of the team’s culture. She’s known for her bold, comfortable, and colorful fashion choices—retro Patriots jackets, polka dot pants, and bright red accessories. At the AFC Championship in Denver, where the Patriots punched their ticket to Super Bowl LX, she was front and center, sharing her excitement on social media: “WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!! Words can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of you, #10!!!! Watching your dreams come true is the biggest blessing and I love you!!!!!”
The couple’s playful side was on display ahead of the Super Bowl, when Ann Michael and Katie Hoofnagle—fiancée of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold—starred in a lighthearted DoorDash ad campaign poking fun at which city has better food. Ann Michael, ever the Boston booster, declared New England’s coffee “dunks” on Seattle’s, while Hoofnagle made her case for Seattle’s ramen. The “beef” was all in good fun, as the two posed together in promotional photos, showing that friendly rivalries can extend beyond the field.
As for life at home, Maye has been open about the positive impact of marriage on his career and well-being. “My teammates have the right to whatever they choose but I would definitely advise them to eventually get married. It’s one of the best things I’ve experienced in my life. There’s no better feeling than coming home to a wife that loves you and cares for you,” he told reporters. “I chose to get married young, and I don’t regret it one bit.”
With the Super Bowl about to kick off, Ann Michael has packed her bags—three suitcases, to be exact—filled with everything from Patriots hats and needlepoint to a “Harry Potter” book and a travel-sized mahjong set. She even made a luggage tag for Drake that reads, “I love Drake Maye.”
As the Patriots take the field against the Seahawks, the Mayes’ story is one of enduring love, shared ambition, and a touch of New England flair. Whether or not the Patriots hoist the Lombardi Trophy, one thing is certain: the “First Lady of New England” will be cheering Drake Maye on, inspiring fans and teammates alike with her passion, talent, and unshakeable support.