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Patriots QB Drake Maye Tosses Footballs to Fans at Hornets Game in Charlotte

The viral courtside scene highlights his surge into national stardom rooted in North Carolina.

Image
Mar 26, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; UNC grad and New England Patriot Drake Maye during the first quarter between the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The New England quarterback, seated courtside, threw footballs to fans during a timeout at the Hornets–Knicks game in Charlotte on Thursday as the home team won 114-103.
  • An NBA-posted clip of the moment has drawn heavy views, with NESN via Yahoo Sports noting roughly half a million plays and upbeat reactions.
  • Reports from NESN via Yahoo Sports say the Hornets’ hype team supplied the balls, his wife snapped them to him, and he sent four into the stands.
  • Maye’s reception reflected local ties as a Huntersville native who starred at Charlotte’s Myers Park High School and later at UNC.
  • His 2025 breakout with the Patriots, including 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl run, has boosted his off-field profile and helped drive cross-sport moments like this.