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“She’s the boss,” Drake Maye explains why his wife Ann Michael has been a game-changer this season

Drake Maye's wife is the real Super Bowl winning secret.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye made it clear on the eve of Super Bowl LX that his wife, Ann Michael Maye, has been a transformative presence in his life and career, both personally and professionally. According to People, Maye said marrying Ann Michael “was one of the best decisions I made in my life,” emphasizing her role as both a grounding force and constant source of support throughout his breakout second NFL season.

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Maye’s tribute came during the Super Bowl Opening Night festivities as the Patriots prepared to face the Seattle Seahawks, and he wasted no time answering why his wife has made such an impact. In his remarks, the 23-year-old quarterback spoke passionately about how Ann Michael brings balance to the high-pressure world of professional football and how her presence has helped him stay focused on and off the field. Maye went from watching the Super Bowl to playing it in an incredible rise.

Beyond character and care, Maye also publicly acknowledged the practical ways she’s changed his routine, joking that she’s “the boss” at home, from keeping him organized to cooking meals so he doesn’t have to worry after late nights, according to a report by Daily Mail. That mix of humor and loving praise has helped bring forward their relationship as one of the NFL’s most talked-about partnerships this season.

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Ann Michael’s Rise From TikTok Phenomenon To NFL Spotlight Is Stellar

Ann Michael first captured NFL fans’ attention through viral TikTok videos, where she shared her baking skills during a series she dubbed “Bakemas.” Those posts didn’t just resonate with Patriots fans; they grew into a dedicated following that now numbers in the hundreds of thousands of followers thanks to her engaging content and down-to-earth personality.

At Super Bowl media night, Maye was asked to rank some of his wife’s baked goods from that series, revealing that her cinnamon roll snickerdoodles were his favorite, followed by her crumble copycat cookies and puppy chow. Her popularity has remained strong off the gridiron, too. Ann Michael shared a Pilates photo on her Instagram earlier in the week, showing off her athletic dedication with a matching grey workout set and celebrating “Happy Super Bowl week!!!” with her fans.

Drake Maye and Ann Michael’s bond didn’t start with fame. The couple met as children and became middle school sweethearts in North Carolina, a connection that stayed strong through college and into professional sports. Ann Michael graduated from the University of North Carolina in May 2025 with a degree in business administration before they married in June of that year. Maye has often pointed to their long history as central to his personal success. Drake’s strategy, though, received some wild reactions.

Author
Image of Tanmay Puri
Tanmay Puri
Tanmay is an experienced writer and producer in sports media for the past 4 years. He has a Master's Degree in Philosophy and has covered all major sports from the NBA, NFL, MLB, and WWE throughout his career.