-
Mike Reiss
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said he received a pain-killing injection for his injured right throwing shoulder prior to the team’s 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
Maye, who was emotional after the game, was asked how his shoulder felt and said: «I shot it up, so not much feeling. It was good to go, and it felt all right.»
The injury seemed to affect Maye. He turned the ball over three times, with a strip sack late in the third quarter costly as the Seahawks quickly turned it into a touchdown for a 19-0 lead as they cruised to victory from there. He was then intercepted twice in the fourth quarter, one of which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown.
The Patriots’ offense was stifled by the Seahawks’ defense for most of the first three quarters, with the protection in front of Maye overwhelmed at times. Maye and Co. found some rhythm in the fourth quarter that helped bolster his final stat line — 27 of 43 for 295 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Maye was also sacked six times, which was a result, in part, of protection breaking down in front of him.
«Certainly didn’t do good enough job. It hurts,» starting center Garrett Bradbury said. «Drake is the face of this franchise. He’s the leader of this team. I think this whole locker room knows that.»
In the aftermath of the AFC Championship Game, when Maye landed on his right shoulder on a 13-yard run late in the third quarter, Maye had been limited in one practice and then held out of another practice. But he said he felt he turned a corner upon arriving in California on Feb. 1 and practiced fully in the Patriots’ three workouts leading up to the game. Maye said on Thursday that was feeling great, although he had still been listed on the injury report all last week, per NFL rules.
The Patriots’ offense finished the regular season ranked third in the NFL in total yards (397.4 average) but never found its groove in the playoffs against some of the league’s top-rated defenses. Maye was asked if he felt the shoulder limited him.
«I think it would be hard to say that. I was feeling good enough to be out there,» he answered. «I wouldn’t put the team in harm’s way to not be myself. Just didn’t make plays tonight.»
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel backed Maye after the game.
«Drake’s a big reason why we’re here,» he said. «I can’t wait to get back and coach him again.»
Vrabel also took a big-picture view of the Patriots’ season, which included a 14-3 record in the regular season and surprise appearance in the Super Bowl that earned him the Coach of the Year Award.
«I’m proud of everything that they did. I’m disappointed just like they are,» he said. «I reminded them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is a long, successful relationship and program. And it’s OK to be disappointed. We have to be disappointed and upset together.
«And like I always do, I tell them I’m appreciative of them. I’m thankful. I’m grateful that I get to coach them. And we don’t want to be part of our identity as not being a front-runner. And so again, just like every year, somebody’s going to lose this game. And we have to remember what it feels like and make sure that it’s not repeated.»
Maye was choked up at times, reflecting on the game and his second NFL season.
«This hurts. It definitely hurts. They played better than us tonight,» he said. «They deserved to win that game. For the whole team and myself, what a journey it’s been for us. I love this team and those guys in the locker room. We left it all on the field and just came up short. We didn’t play our best and that’s what happens … It’s going to sting for a while, but that’s what you sign up for.»
Maye added that he looks forward to the team’s second season under Vrabel.
«He was a heartbeat, no doubt about that. He was a big reason why we’re here. He’s always the same, and I look forward to my relationship with him for a long time,» he said. «He’s a great person and a helluva football coach.»
