Here’s what New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had to say after the Patriots AFC Championship win over the Broncos on Sunday:
On if he realized he was the second-youngest quarterback at 23-years-old to be starting in the Super Bowl with Dan Marino:
“I’m proud of this team, man. What an effort out there tonight. We’re going to the Super Bowl. That sounds pretty good. That sounds pretty cool. Just proud of this team, proud of the defense. We didn’t play our best ball in the first half. In the second half, came out, and just battled the elements, snow and the elements. It was a gritty win, and our defense, they stepped up. It was fun to watch.”
On how the footing was out there in the second half:
“It was definitely a little slick. I think definitely a little slick. It’s hard when it’s grass, I think, underneath with the heaters, like our stadium does, it’s hard with grass, I guess, to do that. But no, I think it was good enough on the last run to get around the edge. I think other than that, we had some times where we had some chances to score, and I think we got to help our defense out more. But hey, it is what it is. That was, man, it’s awesome going to the Super Bowl, so I can’t complain.”
What do you think about your approach, if anything, as the second half of going along with the conditions were getting worse, to realize what kind of game it was going to be, and the type of score it was going to be:
“We’re running the football, and knowing that protecting the football, once we got those three points at of halftime, that was a huge drive. Just protect the football and let our defense keep doing their thing. It was tough elements for offense. The defenses were playing great, and really just give our chance to not lose the game and turn the ball over or do something where we put our defense in a bad spot. Our defense showed up every time, time, and time again.”
On the fact he was a spectator as a kid, watching his Patriots in a Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers, and what it feels like now, how many years later, being on the team you were rooting against and now being in the Super Bowl?
“It was a full circle. My dad, when I was maybe in seventh grade, said, If the Panthers made it, we’re going to go. It was heartbreaking. They lost to the Broncos. But no, what an experience for a kid at my age. who loves football, who loves quarterbacks. That was Peyton [Manning]’s last game, and what a Hall of Fame career he’s had. So pretty cool to be full circle going back here 10 years later. I think it’s just a special moment for this whole team, and we’re just going to enjoy it tonight. And head back, we got two weeks, so we got some work to do, but looking forward to seeing whoever we play.”
On how he’d describe how he came out of this game health-wise:
“Yeah, I think some bumps and bruises, but hey, that’s what it takes. And I think a lot of those guys in that locker room are battling through things. And I think at the same time, the best thing about it is we get another chance at it, another chance at it to get healthy in two weeks. And we’re going to some nicer weather, I think, knock on some wood, we’ll see. But a chance to go win the Super Bowl, man. That’s what it is. That’s pretty cool.”
On the keeper at the end there, what did he see, and was that a straight, fake, and move for him the whole time:
“Yeah, we were in big personnel running the same deal to the right, a little stretch play. At some point, they get lackadaisical and got a chance to get around the edge. I thought he was going to track me and hunt me down, but we got enough to pick up the first. Coach Vrabe’s will probably get mad about running out of bounds, but at that point, it doesn’t matter when you get the first down. That was a cool moment and cool to celebrate with those guys. It’s always cool finishing in victory formation. It’s pretty sweet.”
On Josh McDaniels and how he has just called plays for him, especially in a game like today:
“Yeah, he does a great job of mixing it up, doing what we do best, and also mixing it up. I think we still haven’t played our best football yet in this playoffs, and I’m looking forward to seeing that and hopefully having that click in the Super Bowl. That’d be pretty cool. I think just having him and knowing what the game is like, he’s great at having a feel for that. He’s, I think, the best offensive coordinator in the league, so I’ve got full trust in him.”
On speaking of victory formation, what was it like to take the final step, take a knee, knowing that he was going to the Super Bowl:
“Man, that’s cool. It’s pretty special. It’s something that I won’t forget. Road Warriors, 9-0 on the road, playing for this team and finishing in victory formation. I head-bumped Will [Campbell], and that was probably the hardest head-bump of my life out there after I picked up the first down. So it was special for those guys. We’ve been in that scenario a lot, and I always say it’s my favorite play. It’s every team’s favorite play when you’re in a victory formation. So that was, I think, what, our 17th win? It’s been a long season, and it’s been worth it.”
On the fact he mentioned the Warriors and if he knows about the Patriots’ history here in Denver in the playoffs, and what does it mean to be the first guy to get in:
“Like I said, it’s the history and everything about it. It’s a new team. It’s a new era. I respect and appreciate what the Patriots’ dynasty did. Unfortunately, they didn’t come out with some wins here, but we changed that narrative and look forward to bringing our best football for Santa Clara. That’ll be pretty special.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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