New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye revealed in a September 8, 2026, interview with Men's Health that he largely abstains from alcohol, consuming it fewer than 10 times a year. Maye, who was a runner-up for NFL MVP last season, stated that his decision stems from a desire to avoid hindering his physical and mental performance.
Maye's approach to alcohol consumption is deeply rooted in his family's habits. "It started from my dad, really. I don't think I've ever seen him take a sip of alcohol," Maye said. He noted that his brothers, Luke and Bo, also did not drink growing up, and he followed the example of those he admired. "My brother Luke didn't drink growing up. My brother Bo doesn't drink. Really, it's something where I just followed people that I really admired. That's my dad, my oldest brother Luke."
He described his consumption as minimal, perhaps enjoying a piña colada on the beach but rarely exceeding five to 10 drinks annually. Maye views alcohol as something that can impede goal achievement. "I just followed people that I really admired. That's my dad, my oldest brother Luke," he stated.
During his college years at the University of North Carolina, Maye acknowledged experiencing social challenges as a non-drinker. "It's always hard for me because people always joke about, 'Man, you're not one of the boys, having a drink. You're missing out on a great time,'" he recalled. However, he felt it was not worth missing out on opportunities to pursue his goals. Even in college, he did not feel the urge to engage in such activities, though he recognized he might have missed some social occasions with teammates and friends.
Maye stated that his perspective shifted, and it no longer feels like an issue, especially now that he is married to Ann Michael Maye. He explained that the taste of alcohol, particularly beer, was not appealing to him. More significantly, he emphasized the negative impact on one's physical and mental state and the recovery required the following day. "The state you put your body in, not even the mental focus, but also the physical focus — and of what you lose and what you have to recover from the next day — and just knowing that what you could be doing and working towards," Maye said.
He seeks to surround himself with individuals who share similar perspectives, citing former UNC quarterback and current Cowboys backup Sam Howell as a close friend with the same approach. Maye also observed a growing trend among athletes of his generation who are reducing or eliminating alcohol intake. Instead of drinking, he prefers activities like playing video games, video calls with friends, and spending time with family.
Maye is preparing for his third NFL season with the Patriots. The team finished the previous season with a 14-3 record and reached the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots are scheduled to open the 2026 NFL season against the Seahawks.