Patriots quarterback Drake Maye isn’t a beer guy.
During an interview with Men’s Health, Maye, who finished as a runner-up for the NFL MVP last season, explained that he’s mostly alcohol-free and drinks fewer than 10 times a year because of the effects it has on your body.
“It started from my dad, really. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him take a sip of alcohol. It’s kinda of something that I just grew used to,” Maye, who is on the cover of the Men’s Health Fall 2026 issue, said. “My brother Luke didn’t drink growing up. My brother Bo doesn’t drink. Really, it’s something where I just followed people that I really admired. That’s my dad, my oldest brother Luke.”
“I’ll get on the beach and have a piña colada, but I’m not one to drink. I probably drink less than five times a year, 10 times a year. So just kind of being used to people I admire and seeing them putting away something that I feel like can prohibit you from reaching your goals.”
Maye explained that “there’s definitely some social challenges” being a non-drinker, especially during his college days at the University of North Carolina.
“It’s always hard for me because people always joke about, ‘Man, you’re not one of the boys, having a drink. You’re missing out on a great time,’” he said.
“But our generation, kind of me growing up, we didn’t really grow up with having a beer at dinner or having a drink at dinner. It wasn’t one of those things. It’s become my ritual and unless I’m on the beach and maybe get a piña colada, it’s not really something I enjoy.”
“Even in college, I didn’t really have that itch to get out there and enjoy those things. Sure, I may have missed some of those nights with some teammates or some college buddies, but at the end of the day, I don’t think it was worth it for me.”
“It really was challenging me in college when it was the biggest time when you turn 21 or hanging around with friends and you’re without your parents. But now and being with my wife [Ann Michael Maye] it really hasn’t become an issue. I don’t really feel like I’m missing out on anything.”
Maye shared that “the taste of alcohol,” specifically “the taste of beer” really wasn’t it for him.
“The state you put your body in, not even the mental focus, but also the physical focus — and of what you lose and what you have to recover from the next day — and just knowing that what you could be doing and working towards,” he said.
“It’s OK to have a night and enjoy a night, but at the end of the day it becomes one of those things where it gets in the way… My thing was to surround myself with the elements and people who have similar views. My best friend in college, [former UNC QB and Cowboys backup] Sam Howell, is the same way.”
Maye added that he’s seeing more of a trend in athletes of his generation who are drinking less or not drinking at all.
He shared that he’d rather play videos, FaceTime with his friends and spend time with his family.
Maye is entering his third NFL season with New England after leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl appearance in February, which ended in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots will face the reigning Super Bowl champs in Seattle on Wednesday to open the 2026 NFL season.
