New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dropped a surprise engagement photo on Instagram on Wednesday, sending the internet into a tizzy as a flurry of well-wishers jumped on social media to congratulate Maye and his fiancée, Ann Michael Hudson.
Maye was down on one knee, proposing to Hudson by the ocean at sunset in an undisclosed location, in a viral photo that saw 133K likes and 3,788K comments: “Love doing life with you. Can’t wait to marry you!” Maye wrote.
The Patriots’ organization was among the first accounts to offer congratulations, leading the way for heartwarming responses from J.J. McCarthy, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, plus a special shoutout from Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports.
Heartwarming Responses From Around the NFL
Maye, 22, and Hudson, 21, have been dating for almost a decade. The couple started dating in high school and their relationship has gotten better as they grew older.
Here are a few of the best responses to the engagement photo from friends around the NFL …
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry said: “Congrats stud!”
Patriots podcaster Brian Babz wrote: “The King and Queen of Foxboro.”
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said: “Dat man!!!!”
Patriots center David Andrews wrote: “Congrats brother”
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said: “Woah”
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels wrote: “Drakeooo!! Congrats”
Finally, Dave Portnoy chimed in with a joke: “How dare he not come home for Vrabel’s press conference!!!!!!”
High School Sweethearts to NFL Power Couple
Maye and Hudson have been together since the former was quarterbacking for the Hough Huskies in high school. Hudson supported Maye on Friday nights then and had to pivot her support to Saturday afternoons when he started playing ball for the Tar Heels.
The couple attended UNC together. Hudson is still working towards her degree with a double major in entrepreneurship and conflict management. Hudson probably can’t match Maye’s athleticism, but her LinkedIn page is a testament to the fact that she’s also been hard at work at UNC.
Hudson has accumulated impressive experience during her time on campus. She interned as a strategy consultant for Piedmont Pennies, a North Carolina-based snack foods startup. She also serves as the vice president of finance for her sorority, Kappa Delta.
Hudson shared on her page just a few months ago that she’d recently accepted the opportunity to join Deloitte Consulting’s upcoming summer scholar program.
It often seems like successful people are drawn to one another. With that in mind, it’s not all too surprising that Hudson and Maye wound up together.