Drake Maye’s Dad ‘Surprised’ By Super Bowl Run, Says Patriots Are ‘Fortunate’

The New England Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX has shocked the NFL world.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s dad, Mark Maye, is apparently one of the many that are stunned by the Patriots’ turnaround after back-to-back 4-13 seasons.

“Like everybody, I’m surprised they made the Super Bowl,” the 62-year-old Maye told Scott Fowler of the Charlotte News and Observer. “Now I thought they’d be better than what people were expecting. I’m a little more optimistic — maybe a little biased — about all of my kids’ teams and always have been. Honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised me for them to make the playoffs. But to make the Super Bowl? That’s pretty tough to do.”

The elder Maye, who also played college football at the University of North Carolina, added that New England is “fortunate” to have advanced through the first three rounds of the playoffs.

He specifically referenced the Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

“They’re fortunate,” Maye said, according to Fowler’s report. “That one wasn’t pretty Sunday. All of the boys and I used to say, ‘We don’t care if we win 3-2 or 50-49.’ Well, that one was almost 3-2.”