Izzy Mignardi ‘27

by Izzy Mignardi ‘27 on February 5, 2026

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has taken not only New Englanders, but all Americans, by storm. His youth, charisma, and talent have impressed Patriots and non-Patriots fans alike. Likewise, his wife has become America’s sweetheart, New England’s “Queen of the North.” Ann Michael Maye won the hearts of many not just with her steadfast love for her husband, but because of her love for his fans, too.

The couple’s love story begins in seventh grade. They continued to date throughout college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In January of 2025, Drake Maye proposed. The following June, the two were married when the quarterback was just 22 years old and she 21. 

This past December, Ann Michael Maye gained media attention of her own, going viral for her videos completely unrelated to football. In her “Bakemas” series, she recorded herself baking different desserts or treats every day of December. She posted these to her TikTok page, where Patriots fans immediately flooded the comments, insisting that she feed their beloved quarterback well. “Gisele never baked cookies for us,” many wrote in reference to Tom Brady’s ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen. Clearly, with every video posted, Ann Michael Maye formed a closer connection with Patriots fans. They were no longer simply football fans, but Ann Michael Maye fans. 

Arguably the biggest of these fans is none other than Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports. Portnoy proceeded to post videos of himself following Ann Michael Maye’s recipes. On Christmas Eve, Ann Michael joined Portnoy on one of his iconic pizza reviews in Needham, MA. If New Englanders didn’t love her before, they certainly couldn’t resist now. Her and Portnoy’s video generated an overwhelming boom in business for Gianni’s Deli and Pizza and a surge of New England pride. 

Now, Ann Michael Maye’s popularity has grown so much that she’s received the recognition of NBC Sports Boston, who offered her her own cooking show titled “Beyond Bakemas.” Portnoy even appeared in an episode. Clearly, Ann Michael Maye’s charisma (a trait shared with her husband) has won the hearts of the public. In turn, the public approval has launched her to successes unrelated to football. If there was ever a “WAG” who lived in the shadows, it certainly is not Ann Michael Maye.